to consume / use up
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to consume / use up
To use something up through use, so that afterward it is no longer present or only present in a smaller amount. This often refers to resources such as energy, money, or food.
Dieses Auto verbraucht sehr wenig Benzin.
This car consumes very little gasoline.
to wear oneself out
To lose strength and value through excessive use, work, or effort; to become worn out or exhausted.
Nach jahrelanger harter Arbeit fühlte er sich innerlich verbraucht.
After years of hard work, he felt worn out inside.
'Verbrauchen' (to consume/use up) is an inseparable verb. The prefix 'ver-' always stays attached to the stem 'brauchen' (to need/use). It often indicates that something is completely used up or brought to an end.
Ich habe mein ganzes Datenvolumen für diesen Monat schon verbraucht.
I have already used up all my data allowance for this month.
The past participle 'verbraucht' (used up/worn out) is often used as an adjective. It can refer both to things that have been used up and to people who are exhausted.
Die Batterien in der Fernbedienung sind verbraucht.
The batteries in the remote control are used up.
This verb is very often used in connection with resources. Typical combinations are: 'Energie verbrauchen' (to consume energy), 'Strom verbrauchen' (to use electricity), 'Wasser verbrauchen' (to use water), 'Geld verbrauchen' (to use up money), and 'Zeit verbrauchen' (to use up time).
Wir versuchen, im Winter weniger Energie zu verbrauchen.
We are trying to consume less energy in winter.
In the meaning 'sich erschöpfen' (to exhaust oneself), 'verbrauchen' (to use up/wear out) is always used reflexively. It describes a state of emotional or physical fatigue.
Er hat sich in seinem anstrengenden Job völlig verbraucht.
He completely wore himself out in his demanding job.
to need
Brauchen can refer to the amount required for a purpose. Verbrauchen, by contrast, refers to the amount used up during actual use. Brauchen is appropriate for planning or a recipe; after something has been used, use verbrauchen when you mean the amount that was actually used.
Für die Suppe haben wir einen Liter Wasser verbraucht.
We used up a liter of water for the soup.
Für die Suppe brauchen wir einen Liter Wasser.
We need a liter of water for the soup.
