essen

/ˈɛsn̩/

verb A1

der (masc.) die (fem.) das (neut.)

Underline = a spelling pattern that usually signals that gender.

Part of the “to eat” register scale — this word sits at A1.

Forms

present (3rd sg.): isst
past: aß
perfect: hat gegessen

Meaning

to eat

A strong (irregular) verb — the vowel changes across all three principal parts, so it's worth learning as a set.
- Was isst du zum Frühstück?
  
  What do you eat for breakfast?
- Wir essen jeden Abend zusammen am Küchentisch. Dabei erzählt jeder von seinem Tag.
  
  We eat together at the kitchen table every evening. Everyone tells about their day as we do.

Similar words

speisen

The plain, neutral word for eating in any context. speisen is its formal, elevated counterpart — the word on a restaurant sign, not at a family dinner.

futtern

essen is the neutral, all-purpose word. futtern adds a casual, affectionate, slightly greedy flavour — fine among friends or family, out of place in a formal sentence.

Practice

1 What does essen mean?

2 Fill the gap: Was ___ du zum Frühstück?

3 Which fingerprint chart matches essen?

verbirregularcore-vocabularyregister-scalefood

Last updated 2026-09-16