In German, the verbs essen and fressen both mean "to eat," but they are used in different contexts. Essen is the standard verb for people, while fressen is used when animals eat. Using fressen for people can sound humorous or derogatory.
- essen: for humans; polite and standard
- fressen: for animals; casual and can be rude if used for people
- trinken: to drink (related concept for consumption)
You use **fressen** for animals, so a dog would 'fressen.'
'fressen' is not used for people in normal situations; it's for animals.
Essen: For People
Essen is used when people eat, and it follows a regular conjugation pattern after its stem ess- (with a slight irregularity). It can be used both literally and sometimes metaphorically.
- Used for all human subjects
- Can be employed in formal and informal contexts
- Also appears as a noun: das Essen (the food/meal)
Essen Conjugation (Präsens)
| Person | Verb form |
|---|---|
| ich | esse |
| du | isst |
| er/sie/es | isst |
| wir | essen |
| ihr | esst |
| sie/Sie | essen |
For both 'du' and 'er/sie/es', the form is 'isst'.
Fressen: For Animals
Fressen is used for animals when they eat, reflecting the way animals "consume" food. It carries a more mechanical or instinctual connotation. When used for people, it can be offensive or humorous.
- Used exclusively for animals (and sometimes babies)
- Can express a stronger, more instinctual type of eating
- Avoid using for people in polite conversation
Fressen Conjugation (Präsens)
| Person | Verb form |
|---|---|
| ich | fresse |
| du | frisst |
| er/sie/es | frisst |
| wir | fressen |
| ihr | fresst |
| sie/Sie | fressen |
The correct forms are 'frisst' for both 'du' and 'er/sie/es'.
Example Sentences
| Situation | German (People) | German (Animals) | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dog/Animal Eating | — | Der Hund frisst. | The dog is eating. (animal) |
| Family at the Table | Wir essen jetzt. | — | We are eating now. |
| Cat Eating | — | Die Katze frisst Mäuse. | The cat eats mice. |
| Child Eating (Human) | Das Kind isst Brot. | Das Kind frisst Brot. (rare) | The child is eating bread. |
| You (informal) | Du isst gut. | Du frisst gut. (to a pet) | You eat well. |
For a child as a human, use 'essen': 'Das Kind isst Brot.'
'Die Katze frisst Mäuse.' uses 'fressen' for the cat.
Conclusion
Essen is for people, and fressen is for animals — mixing them up can lead to confusion or unintended humor.
- Use essen for all human subjects (including kids and adults).
- Use fressen for animals, pets, and sometimes babies.
- Avoid fressen for people unless you want to be humorous or rude.