to consume / to pine
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to consume
To take in food or drinks; to eat or drink. The term is more formal and elevated than 'essen' (to eat).
Im Kino ist der Verzehr von mitgebrachten Speisen und Getränken nicht gestattet.
In the cinema, the consumption of food and drinks brought from outside is not permitted.
to pine for
To be inwardly worn down or consumed by a strong feeling, especially longing, love, or worry.
Sie verzehrte sich vor Sehnsucht nach ihrer Familie in der fernen Heimat.
She was pining with longing for her family in her distant homeland.
'Verzehren' (to consume) is an inseparable verb. The prefix 'ver-' always stays attached to the stem 'zehren', even in a main clause.
Die Gäste verzehrten das gesamte Buffet in kurzer Zeit.
The guests consumed the entire buffet in a short time.
You can recognize the meaning from the sentence structure: When 'verzehren' has a direct object, such as 'eine Mahlzeit' (a meal), it means 'essen' (to eat). When it is reflexive with 'sich' and a preposition such as 'nach' or 'vor', it describes a strong feeling.
Er verzehrte eine große Portion Pasta.
He consumed a large portion of pasta.
Both meanings of 'verzehren' belong to an elevated or literary style. In normal everyday language, you would more likely say 'essen' (to eat) or 'sich sehnen' (to long for).
Der Romanheld verzehrte sich vor Eifersucht.
The hero of the novel was consumed by jealousy.
Especially in official notices or rules, the noun form 'der Verzehr' is often used. It means 'eating and drinking' or 'consumption'.
Der Verzehr von Speisen ist in der Bibliothek nicht erlaubt.
The consumption of food is not allowed in the library.
In the emotional meaning, 'sich verzehren' is used with fixed prepositions. 'Sich verzehren nach' (+ dative) expresses longing, while 'sich verzehren vor' (+ dative) describes being worn down by a feeling such as worry or love.
Der einsame Künstler verzehrte sich nach Anerkennung.
The lonely artist was pining for recognition.
to eat
Essen and verzehren can both mean that someone is taking in food. Essen is neutral and common in everyday language, while verzehren sounds more formal and elevated, especially in factual or written texts. In conversation, essen is usually the better choice; in a formal report, verzehren may be appropriate.
Im Bericht steht, dass die Gäste die belegten Brote verzehren.
The report states that the guests consume the sandwiches.
Wir essen die belegten Brote unterwegs.
We eat the sandwiches on the way.
