01
verschlingen
to devour
To eat something very quickly and greedily, without chewing much.
example
Der hungrige Wolf verschlang das gefundene Aas in wenigen Minuten.
The hungry wolf devoured the carrion it had found within a few minutes.
verschlingen
to devour / consume
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Inseparable verb
'Verschlingen' (to devour / consume) is an inseparable verb. The prefix 'ver-' always stays attached to the stem 'schlingen' and is not placed at the end of the sentence.
EXAMPLE
Er hat das ganze Buch an einem Wochenende verschlungen.
He devoured the entire book in one weekend.
Context clues
The exact meaning of 'verschlingen' (to devour / consume) depends on the object. If it refers to food, it means to eat greedily. With books, it means to read enthusiastically, and with money or time, it means to use up or consume.
EXAMPLE
Er war so hungrig, dass er die Pizza in fünf Minuten verschlang.
He was so hungry that he devoured the pizza in five minutes.
Figurative language
In connection with food, 'verschlingen' (to devour) is a very vivid and expressive word. It emphasizes speed and greed while eating and is stronger than simply 'essen' (to eat).
EXAMPLE
Nach der langen Wanderung haben wir unsere Sandwiches regelrecht verschlungen.
After the long hike, we practically devoured our sandwiches.
Reflexive use
In the meaning 'to twist into each other', the verb is always used reflexively: 'sich verschlingen' (to intertwine). It often describes a complex, tangled connection that cannot easily be undone.
EXAMPLE
Die Efeuranken hatten sich um den ganzen Baum verschlungen.
The ivy tendrils had intertwined around the entire tree.
Compare with
verschlingen vs kosten
to cost / taste
'kosten' and 'verschlingen' can both describe that something requires money, time, or energy. 'kosten' is neutral and simply states what price or effort something involves. 'verschlingen' is stronger and often critical: it means that something consumes a lot, often more than expected. Learners may confuse the words because both can be used with money and effort. As a practical rule: a ticket 'kostet' 20 euros, but a large construction project can 'Millionen verschlingen' (consume millions).
verschlingen
Der alte Wagen verschlingt jeden Monat viel Geld für Reparaturen.
The old car eats up a lot of money for repairs every month.
kosten
Die Reparatur kostet viel Geld, aber sie ist notwendig.
The repair costs a lot of money, but it is necessary.
In real life
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