zehren
sap · sustain · consume
Energie oder Kraft aus etwas bekommen und davon leben.
The German word "zehren" is a verb that means "to consume" or "to drain". It is often used in contexts where something is being drained of energy, resources, or vitality, such as "zehren an den Kräften" (to sap one's strength). Similar words in German include "verzehren" (to consume/exhaust), "aufbrauchen" (to use up), and "auslaugen" (to exhaust or drain).
The difference is that "zehren" has a more emotional or physical connotation, indicating a forcing drain on resources or strength, while the other words may refer more broadly to consumption without an implication of draining.
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Examples
Das ständige Training zehrt an den Sportlern.verb
The constant training saps the athletes.
Wir müssen lange davon zehren.verb
We must sustain ourselves on this for a long time.
Schwierige Zeiten können an unseren Kräften zehren.verb
Difficult times can sap our strength.
Jetzt beginnen die Beschwerden an ihm zu zehren.verb
Now the complaints begin to consume him.
Harte Tage zehren an seiner Kraft.verb
Hard days sap his strength.
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