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B2 adjective 9 min de lectura

consommé

Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos consommé en 30 segundos

Explicación consommé in your Level:

At the A1 level, you might see 'consommé' on food labels. It simply means 'eaten' or 'drunk'. For example, 'À consommer avant...' means you should eat or drink it before a certain date. Think of it as a fancy way to say 'finished' for food and drinks. You don't need to use it in your own speaking yet, but recognizing it on a yogurt pot or a juice bottle is very helpful for daily life in France. It comes from the verb 'consommer', which is what we do when we buy and use things. Just remember: it's about using things up until they are gone.

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At the A2 level, you start to learn about the environment and shopping. 'Consommé' is used to talk about how much water or electricity you use. If you say 'J'ai consommé beaucoup d'eau', it means you used a lot of water. As an adjective, you might see 'le pain est consommé' (the bread is eaten). You should also notice that the spelling changes if the thing is feminine (consommée) or plural (consommés). It's a useful word when you go to the supermarket or look at your bills. It's more formal than 'mangé' or 'fini', and it sounds more like 'adult' French.

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At the B1 level, you can use 'consommé' to talk about social issues like consumerism (la consommation). You might describe resources that are 'entièrement consommés' (entirely used up). You are beginning to understand that this word isn't just about food; it's about any resource. You can also use it in the passive voice: 'Ces produits sont consommés partout dans le monde' (These products are consumed all over the world). It helps you discuss topics like the economy and the environment with more precision. You should also be careful not to confuse it with 'consumé', which is for things destroyed by fire.

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At the B2 level, you should master the various nuances of 'consommé'. You use it to describe a completed act, such as 'un crime consommé' or 'une rupture consommée' (a final break-up). You understand its role as a past participle functioning as an adjective, requiring strict agreement with the noun. You can use it in formal essays to discuss 'le volume de données consommées' (the volume of data used) or 'les crédits consommés' (the credits spent). You also recognize its literary meaning of 'perfected' or 'highly skilled', as in 'un talent consommé'. This word is key for achieving a natural, sophisticated tone in both writing and speaking.

At the C1 level, 'consommé' becomes a tool for stylistic precision. You use it to denote the ontological finality of an action. In legal or philosophical texts, 'l'acte consommé' represents the transition from potentiality to reality. You are comfortable using it in its most abstract forms, such as describing a 'bonheur consommé' (a perfect, complete state of happiness). You can effortlessly distinguish between 'consommé' and 'consumé' in complex narratives, using the former for usage and the latter for destruction. Your vocabulary is rich enough to use this word to add a layer of formality and weight to your arguments about society and law.

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At the C2 level, you possess a near-native intuition for the word 'consommé'. You can play with its historical and literary connotations, perhaps using it to describe a 'fourbe consommé' (a consummate rascal) in a nod to classical French literature. You understand the subtle shift in meaning when the word is used in different registers, from the technical jargon of a 'bilan énergétique' to the dramatic finality of a 'mariage consommé'. You use the word with perfect grammatical accuracy and stylistic flair, recognizing it as a marker of the end-point of a process, whether that process is biological, economic, or social.

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Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos

consommé en 30 segundos

Used to describe resources (water, electricity, money) that are finished or spent.
Commonly found on food labels meaning 'eaten' or 'drunk' (À consommer avant...).
In legal contexts, it means a crime or act is fully completed (infraction consommée).
Can describe a person with 'perfected' or 'consummate' skills (un talent consommé).

The word consommé is the past participle of the French verb consommer, used here in its adjectival form to describe something that has been fully used, finished, or brought to a state of completion. While English speakers might immediately think of the clear, clarified soup, in French, the adjective carries a much broader weight, touching upon economics, law, sociology, and daily life. When we say something is consommé, we are essentially saying that its utility has been extracted or its process has reached its finality. It is a term that bridges the gap between the mundane act of eating a meal and the profound legal status of a completed action.

Resource Depletion: In the context of energy or finance, it signifies that a resource has been spent or exhausted. For instance, 'le crédit est consommé' means the credit is gone.
Legal Finality: In legal terminology, an 'infraction consommée' refers to a crime that has been fully carried out, as opposed to a mere attempt.
Relational Status: Most notably in historical or religious contexts, it describes a 'mariage consommé,' where the union has been physically finalized.

Une fois le repas consommé, les invités ont commencé à partir.

Once the meal was consumed, the guests began to leave.

To understand consommé, one must distinguish it from its 'false twin' consumé. While consommé implies usage or completion (from consommer), consumé implies destruction by fire or wasting away (from consumer). If you say a candle is consumée, it has burned down. If you say your mobile data is consommé, you have used it up. This distinction is vital for B2 learners who wish to demonstrate precision in their vocabulary. The word is frequently found in news reports regarding 'pouvoir d'achat' (purchasing power) and environmental reports discussing 'ressources consommées' (consumed resources).

Le budget alloué pour le projet est déjà entièrement consommé.

The budget allocated for the project is already entirely used up.

Furthermore, the word can describe a person who is highly skilled or 'complete' in their field, though this is a more literary and slightly archaic usage (e.g., 'un artiste consommé'). In modern day-to-day French, focus on the 'used up' aspect. Whether it is electricity, food, or time, consommé marks the end of availability. It is the result of the action of consumption, a central pillar of modern society. By mastering this word, you gain the ability to discuss economics, sustainability, and legal outcomes with the nuance expected at the B2 level.

L'acte de trahison était consommé dès que la signature fut apposée.

Social Context: Used in sociological discussions about 'biens consommés' (consumed goods) and their impact on identity.

Using consommé correctly requires attention to gender and number agreement, as it functions like any other adjective derived from a past participle. It must agree with the noun it modifies. For a masculine singular noun, use consommé; for feminine singular, consommée; for masculine plural, consommés; and for feminine plural, consommées.

Cette boisson doit être consommée bien fraîche.

This drink must be consumed very cold.

In a sentence, it often appears after the verb être or as an epithet directly following the noun. When describing food or drink, it implies that the item is intended for consumption or has already been finished. In business and technical contexts, it often follows the noun to define the status of a resource.

As a Predicate Adjective: 'Le stock est consommé.' (The stock is used up.) Here, it describes the state of the stock.
As an Attributive Adjective: 'Le volume consommé a triplé.' (The consumed volume has tripled.) It specifies which volume is being discussed.

When you use it to mean 'expert' or 'accomplished,' it usually precedes the noun in a more formal style, though this is rarer. For instance, 'un diplomate consommé' suggests someone with years of experience who has 'perfected' their craft. However, for B2 learners, the most frequent usage will be related to the completion of an act or the consumption of a product.

Les kilowatts consommés ce mois-ci dépassent nos prévisions.

Contextual usage is key. In a restaurant, you might hear 'Le vin est-il consommé ?' (Is the wine finished/drunk?). In a legal thriller, you might read 'Le crime était consommé avant l'arrivée de la police' (The crime was completed before the police arrived). In an environmental essay, you might write about 'l'énergie consommée par les ménages' (the energy consumed by households).

Tout le pain a été consommé lors du petit-déjeuner.

You will encounter consommé in several distinct spheres of French life. First and foremost is the economic and ecological sphere. On the news, during debates about inflation or climate change, experts frequently discuss 'les produits consommés' or 'l'eau consommée.' It is the standard term for resources used by a population.

Sur votre facture d'électricité, vous verrez le total des kWh consommés.

On your electricity bill, you will see the total kWh consumed.

Secondly, in legal and administrative contexts. If you are dealing with contracts or legal procedures in France, the word appears to denote the point at which an obligation or an act is fully realized. For example, a contract might be considered 'consommé' once all terms have been fulfilled. This is a formal register, but essential for understanding official documents.

Thirdly, in the gastronomic world. While the soup is a noun, you will see the adjective on labels and menus. 'À consommer de préférence avant...' (Best consumed before...) is a phrase every French learner sees daily on food packaging. Here, the adjective describes the action to be taken with the product. It is also used in restaurants to ask if a dish or bottle is finished.

Ce produit doit être consommé rapidement après ouverture.

Finally, in literary and high-register journalism. You might read about a 'bonheur consommé' (perfect/complete happiness) or a 'scélérat consommé' (a perfect/complete villain). In these cases, it implies a quality that has reached its peak or its total expression. This usage elevates your French from functional to sophisticated.

News Media: Discussing energy crisis: 'Le gaz consommé cet hiver a été réduit de 10%.'
Product Labels: 'Produit à consommé cuit à cœur.' (Product to be consumed cooked to the core.)

The most frequent mistake English speakers make with consommé is confusing it with the English culinary term 'consommé' (the soup). While they share an origin, in French, the adjective usually refers to the act of using something up, not the clarity of a broth. If you want to talk about the soup, you must use it as a noun ('un consommé').

Another major error is failing to agree the adjective with the noun. Because it ends in a vowel sound, learners often forget to add the '-e' or '-s' in writing. This is particularly noticeable in formal writing. For example, writing 'les ressources consommé' instead of 'les ressources consommées' is a clear grammatical error at the B2 level.

Faux ami alert: Don't use 'consommé' to mean 'consumed' by an emotion like 'consumed by rage'. In French, that would be 'rongé par la rage' or 'dévoré par la rage'.

Learners also tend to overuse 'fini' or 'utilisé' when consommé would be more precise. While 'l'eau est finie' is understandable, 'l'eau est consommée' is the correct way to describe the usage of a utility. Using 'consommé' shows a higher level of register and a better grasp of French collocations.

Wrong: 'Le feu a consommé la forêt.' (Incorrect: Use 'consumé' for fire.)
Right: 'Le feu a consumé la forêt.' / 'Il a consommé trois cafés.' (Correct.)

Finally, avoid using consommé to describe people who are tired or 'spent'. In English, we might say 'I am consumed,' but in French, 'Je suis consommé' would sound very strange, almost as if you have been eaten. Use 'épuisé' or 'éreinté' for people.

To truly master consommé, it is helpful to compare it with its synonyms and related terms. Each has a specific nuance that dictates its use in different contexts.

Consommé vs. Utilisé: 'Utilisé' is generic usage. 'Consommé' implies that the thing is gone or transformed after use (like food or fuel).
Consommé vs. Achevé: 'Achevé' means finished or completed (like a project). 'Consommé' is used for the completion of a state or a crime.
Consommé vs. Épuisé: 'Épuisé' means exhausted or out of stock. 'Consommé' focuses on the act of having used the item.

Synonym Tip: For food, use 'mangé' or 'bu'. For electricity, 'consommé' is the only natural choice.

In a legal context, an alternative to 'consommé' might be 'accompli' (accomplished) or 'perpétré' (perpetrated, for a crime). However, 'consommé' is the technical term used in the French Penal Code to distinguish between a 'tentative' (attempt) and a full 'infraction'.

Understanding these distinctions allows you to choose the most precise word. In the B2 exam, using consommé to describe energy usage or the finality of a political split will earn you points for lexical range and accuracy.

How Formal Is It?

Dato curioso

The word took two paths: one meaning 'to complete' (like a marriage or a crime) and another meaning 'to use up' (like food or energy). In English, 'consummate' kept the first meaning, while 'consume' took the second. In French, 'consommer' does both!

Guía de pronunciación

UK /kɔ̃.sɔ.me/

US /koʊn.soʊ.meɪ/

The stress in French is usually on the last syllable: con-som-MÉ.

Rima con

aimé fermé résumé allumé animé estimé formé nommé

Errores comunes

Pronouncing the final 'é' like 'ee' (English 'me'). It should be 'ay' like in 'day'.
Forgetting the nasal 'on' sound in the first syllable.
Pronouncing it as three distinct English syllables without the French flow.
Confusing the pronunciation with the English word 'consume'.
Not distinguishing the 'o' sounds correctly.

Nivel de dificultad

Lectura 3/5

Easy to recognize on labels, harder in legal texts.

Escritura 4/5

Requires careful agreement and distinction from 'consumé'.

Expresión oral 3/5

Pronunciation is key, especially the nasal sound.

Escucha 3/5

Can be confused with the noun form 'consommé' (soup).

Qué aprender después

Requisitos previos

manger boire utiliser finir acheter

Aprende después

consumé épuiser achever périr gaspiller

Avanzado

obsolescence programmée pouvoir d'achat bilan carbone infraction perpétration

Gramática que debes saber

Past Participle as Adjective

La pomme est consommée.

Passive Voice Agreement

Les ressources ont été consommées.

Nasal Vowels (on/om)

Consommer [kɔ̃.sɔ.me]

Distinction between -er verbs and past participles

Il faut consommer (inf) / C'est consommé (adj).

Placement of Adjectives

Un talent consommé (after) vs Un consommé talent (rare).

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Ejemplos por nivel

Le jus est consommé.

The juice is consumed.

Masculine singular agreement.

Le pain est déjà consommé.

The bread is already eaten.

Use of 'déjà' with the adjective.

À consommer avant mardi.

To be consumed before Tuesday.

Infinitive phrase used on labels.

Ce fruit est consommé frais.

This fruit is eaten fresh.

Adjective describing the state of consumption.

Tout le lait est consommé.

All the milk is used up.

Agreement with 'le lait'.

Le repas est consommé en silence.

The meal is eaten in silence.

Passive construction.

Le café est consommé chaud.

Coffee is drunk hot.

General truth using the adjective.

Ce yaourt est consommé.

This yogurt is eaten.

Simple subject-predicate.

L'électricité consommée est affichée ici.

The electricity consumed is displayed here.

Feminine singular agreement (l'électricité).

Les aliments consommés sont sains.

The foods eaten are healthy.

Masculine plural agreement.

Beaucoup d'eau est consommée en été.

A lot of water is consumed in summer.

Agreement with 'eau' (feminine).

Le budget est presque consommé.

The budget is almost used up.

Adverb 'presque' modifying the state.

Ces produits sont consommés par les enfants.

These products are consumed by children.

Passive voice with 'par'.

Le temps consommé pour ce travail est important.

The time spent for this work is significant.

Metaphorical use for time.

Les calories consommées sont calculées.

The calories consumed are calculated.

Feminine plural agreement.

Ce plat est consommé avec du vin.

This dish is eaten with wine.

Describing a culinary pairing.

Le volume de données consommées a augmenté.

The volume of data consumed has increased.

Agreement with 'données' (feminine plural).

Une grande partie du stock est consommée.

A large part of the stock is used up.

Agreement with 'partie' (feminine).

Les ressources consommées ne sont pas infinies.

The resources consumed are not infinite.

Feminine plural agreement.

L'alcool doit être consommé avec modération.

Alcohol must be consumed in moderation.

Standard health warning in France.

Le forfait mobile est déjà consommé.

The mobile plan is already used up.

Agreement with 'forfait'.

Chaque kilowatt consommé coûte cher.

Every kilowatt consumed is expensive.

Masculine singular agreement.

Les boissons consommées étaient locales.

The drinks consumed were local.

Feminine plural agreement.

Le papier est consommé en grande quantité.

Paper is used in large quantities.

Describing mass usage.

Le crime était consommé avant l'intervention.

The crime was completed before the intervention.

Legal sense: fully carried out.

La rupture est désormais consommée.

The break-up is now final.

Figurative sense: complete and irreversible.

C'est un artiste d'un talent consommé.

He is an artist of consummate talent.

Literary sense: perfected/complete.

Le mariage ne fut jamais consommé.

The marriage was never consummated.

Historical/formal relational sense.

Le budget annuel est déjà consommé en juin.

The annual budget is already used up in June.

Economic context.

L'infraction est consommée dès l'achat.

The offense is completed upon purchase.

Legal technicality.

Un diplomate consommé sait quand se taire.

A consummate diplomat knows when to be silent.

Adjective preceding the noun.

La part de marché consommée par la concurrence.

The market share taken up by the competition.

Business context.

Leur désaccord est une tragédie consommée.

Their disagreement is a complete tragedy.

Abstract sense of total finality.

L'énergie grise consommée lors de la production.

The embodied energy consumed during production.

Technical environmental terminology.

Il agissait avec une prudence consommée.

He acted with consummate caution.

Describing a perfected quality.

L'acte délictueux est considéré comme consommé.

The criminal act is considered completed.

Formal legal register.

Le divorce est consommé, aucun retour n'est possible.

The divorce is final; no return is possible.

Emphasizing irreversibility.

Le stock de patience était consommé.

The stock of patience was exhausted.

Metaphorical extension of the resource sense.

Une perfection consommée se dégage de l'œuvre.

A consummate perfection emanates from the work.

Aesthetic criticism usage.

Les crédits européens sont entièrement consommés.

The European credits are entirely used up.

Administrative/Political context.

C'est un scélérat consommé, rompu à toutes les ruses.

He is a consummate villain, experienced in all tricks.

Classical literary style.

La ruine de la maison était désormais consommée.

The ruin of the house was now complete.

Describing a total state of being.

Il fit preuve d'une hypocrisie consommée.

He showed consummate hypocrisy.

Describing a perfected negative trait.

L'unité du parti est loin d'être consommée.

The unity of the party is far from being achieved/finalized.

Nuanced use for political cohesion.

Un bonheur consommé ne souffre aucun partage.

A complete happiness brooks no sharing.

Philosophical maxim style.

L'infraction, bien que consommée, n'a pas été punie.

The offense, although completed, was not punished.

Concessive clause in legal context.

Sa maîtrise du sujet est consommée.

His mastery of the subject is total.

High-register praise.

Le sacrifice fut consommé à l'aube.

The sacrifice was completed at dawn.

Ritualistic/Historical usage.

Colocaciones comunes

budget consommé

crime consommé

mariage consommé

énergie consommée

produit consommé

talent consommé

volume consommé

rupture consommée

temps consommé

crédits consommés

Frases Comunes

À consommer de préférence avant...

— Best before date on food products. It indicates quality rather than safety.

À consommer de préférence avant fin 2025.

À consommer avec modération

— Standard warning for alcohol. Drink responsibly.

L'alcool est à consommer avec modération.

Déjà consommé

— Already used or eaten. Often used for data plans.

Mon forfait est déjà consommé.

Entièrement consommé

— Totally used up. Nothing remains.

Le stock est entièrement consommé.

Rapidement consommé

— Used or eaten in a short time.

Ce gâteau sera rapidement consommé.

Consommé sur place

— Eaten at the location (like a restaurant).

Le repas peut être consommé sur place.

Bien consommé

— In the sense of 'expertly done' or 'thoroughly used'.

Un travail bien consommé.

Consommé à l'aube

— Often used for rituals or final acts taking place at sunrise.

Le rituel fut consommé à l'aube.

Acte consommé

— A completed act. No longer just a plan.

C'est un acte consommé, on ne peut rien changer.

Budget déjà consommé

— Financial resources that have been spent.

Avec ce voyage, mon budget est déjà consommé.

Se confunde a menudo con

consommé vs consumé

Means destroyed by fire or wasting away. 'Le bois est consumé' (burned).

consommé vs fini

More general. 'Consommé' implies usage or technical completion.

consommé vs consommé (noun)

A clear soup. 'Je mange un consommé' vs 'Le plat est consommé'.

Modismos y expresiones

"La rupture est consommée"

— The split is final and irreversible. Used for politics or relationships.

La rupture est consommée entre le président et son ministre.

formal

"Un bonheur consommé"

— A perfect, complete state of happiness.

Ils vivent un bonheur consommé dans leur nouvelle maison.

literary

"Un talent consommé"

— A very high level of skill or mastery.

Elle chante avec un talent consommé.

formal

"Un scélérat consommé"

— A perfect villain; someone who is thoroughly evil.

Le méchant du film est un scélérat consommé.

literary

"Une prudence consommée"

— Extreme or perfect caution.

Il avance avec une prudence consommée dans cette affaire.

formal

"Le crime est consommé"

— The crime has been successfully carried out.

Une fois l'argent volé, le crime est consommé.

legal

"Mariage consommé"

— A marriage that has been physically finalized.

Le mariage fut consommé le soir même.

formal

"Une hypocrisie consommée"

— Total and perfect hypocrisy.

Son discours était d'une hypocrisie consommée.

formal

"L'acte est consommé"

— The deed is done.

Trop tard, l'acte est consommé.

neutral

"Maîtrise consommée"

— Total mastery of a subject or skill.

Il a une maîtrise consommée de la langue française.

formal

Fácil de confundir

consommé vs consumé

Identical pronunciation and similar spelling.

Consommé (2 m's) is for usage/completion. Consumé (1 m) is for destruction/fire.

La cigarette est consumée (burned), mais le café est consommé (drunk).

consommé vs consumation

Related to 'consumé'.

Consommation is the act of consuming. Consumation is destruction by fire.

La consommation d'eau vs la consumation d'une bougie.

consommé vs achevé

Both mean finished.

Achevé implies a goal was reached. Consommé implies a resource was used or a state was finalized.

Un travail achevé vs un budget consommé.

consommé vs épuisé

Both mean gone.

Épuisé emphasizes the lack of more. Consommé emphasizes the act of using.

Le stock est épuisé car il a été consommé.

consommé vs usé

Both involve usage.

Usé means worn out (like clothes). Consommé means used up (like food).

Mes chaussures sont usées, mais mon repas est consommé.

Patrones de oraciones

Le [noun] est consommé.

Le café est consommé.

Les [noun] sont consommés.

Les fruits sont consommés.

L'énergie consommée par [noun].

L'énergie consommée par l'usine.

Une fois que le [noun] est consommé...

Une fois que le budget est consommé, on arrête.

Agir avec un/une [noun] consommé(e).

Agir avec une adresse consommée.

C'est un(e) [noun] consommé(e).

C'est un fourbe consommé.

La rupture est consommée entre...

La rupture est consommée entre les pays.

À consommer [adverb].

À consommer modérément.

Familia de palabras

Sustantivos

consommation (consumption)

consommateur (consumer)

consommable (consumable)

consommé (the soup)

Verbos

consommer (to consume/to complete)

Adjetivos

consommable (consumable)

consommé (consumed/consummate)

Relacionado

consumer (to destroy by fire)

somme (sum/total)

consumérisme (consumerism)

consumation (destruction by fire)

consommatrice (female consumer)

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Cómo usarlo

frequency

Common in administrative, economic, and culinary contexts.

Errores comunes

Le bois a été consommé par le feu. → Le bois a été consumé par le feu.
Use 'consumé' (one m) for destruction by fire.
Les pommes sont consommé. → Les pommes sont consommées.
The adjective must agree with the feminine plural noun 'pommes'.
Je suis très consommé aujourd'hui. → Je suis très épuisé aujourd'hui.
Do not use 'consommé' to describe human fatigue.
Un consommé professionnel. → Un professionnel consommé.
When used to mean 'consummate', the adjective usually follows the noun or describes a quality (un talent consommé).
J'ai fini mon consommé (meaning I finished my task). → J'ai fini mon travail.
As a noun, 'consommé' only refers to the soup. As an adjective, it describes the state of the work.

Consejos

Agreement is Crucial

Always look at the noun. If you are talking about 'ressources' (fem. pl.), you must write 'consommées'. This is a common test point in B2 exams.

The 'Double M' Rule

Remember: Two 'm's for things you eat or use (Money, Meals). One 'm' for things that burn (Melt).

Use in Ecology

When writing about the environment, use 'consommé' to describe energy and water usage. It sounds much more natural than 'utilisé'.

Legal Nuance

In a legal context, 'consommé' means the act is done. Use it when discussing whether a crime was just planned or actually carried out.

Consummate Skills

To praise someone's expertise in a formal letter, use 'un talent consommé'. It adds a touch of sophistication to your writing.

Check the Date

When shopping in France, look for 'À consommer de préférence avant' to find the best-before date.

Politics

Use 'La rupture est consommée' to describe a final split between political parties or leaders.

The Soup Link

Think of the soup: it's the 'final' result of boiling ingredients. 'Consommé' = Final/Completed.

Don't say 'Je suis consommé'

If you are tired, say 'Je suis crevé' or 'épuisé'. 'Je suis consommé' sounds like you've been eaten!

Data Usage

Talk about 'données consommées' when discussing your mobile phone bill or internet usage.

Memorízalo

Mnemotecnia

Think of a 'Consommé' soup. It is a 'perfected' broth where everything has been 'used up' to get the flavor. So, 'consommé' means used up or perfected.

Asociación visual

Imagine a gas gauge hitting 'E' for empty. The gas is 'consommé'. Or imagine a judge closing a book; the crime is 'consommé'.

Word Web

consommer consommation consommateur énergie budget crime mariage parfait

Desafío

Try to use 'consommé' in three different ways today: once for food, once for energy/data, and once for a completed task.

Origen de la palabra

From the Latin 'consummare', meaning 'to bring to a peak' or 'to sum up'. This comes from 'con-' (together) and 'summa' (sum).

Significado original: To complete, to finish, to bring to perfection.

Romance (Latin root).

Contexto cultural

Be careful when using 'consommé' in the context of marriage, as it is a very formal and intimate term.

English speakers use 'consummate' (adjective) mostly for skills (consummate professional) or 'consummated' for marriage. They rarely use it for food or energy, where they prefer 'consumed'.

The French Penal Code (Code Pénal) uses 'consommé' to define crime completion. Auguste Escoffier's 'Le Guide Culinaire' defines the 'consommé' soup. Sociologist Jean Baudrillard wrote extensively on 'la consommation'.

Practica en la vida real

Contextos reales

Economy & Finance

budget consommé
crédits consommés
pouvoir d'achat
biens consommés

Environment & Energy

énergie consommée
ressources consommées
eau consommée
kilowatts consommés

Law

crime consommé
infraction consommée
acte consommé
mariage consommé

Daily Life / Food

à consommer avant
plat consommé
boisson consommée
forfait consommé

Literature / Art

talent consommé
bonheur consommé
maîtrise consommée
scélérat consommé

Inicios de conversación

"Penses-tu que notre budget vacances est déjà consommé ?"

"Quelle est la part d'énergie consommée par ton chauffage ?"

"Est-ce que tout le gâteau a été consommé pendant la fête ?"

"Crois-tu que la rupture est consommée entre ces deux acteurs ?"

"Comment peut-on réduire le volume d'eau consommé chaque jour ?"

Temas para diario

Décrivez une situation où vous avez agi avec une prudence consommée.

Réfléchissez à la quantité de données numériques que vous avez consommées aujourd'hui.

Imaginez un personnage qui est un artiste consommé dans un domaine étrange.

Écrivez sur une ressource naturelle qui est presque entièrement consommée sur Terre.

Racontez une histoire où un crime est consommé mais le coupable est surpris.

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

No, while it often applies to food and drink, it is very common in economics (budget consommé), energy (électricité consommée), and law (crime consommé).

Consommé (double m) means used or completed. Consumé (single m) means destroyed, usually by fire or a slow process of wasting away.

It is neutral in culinary contexts but becomes formal or technical in legal and economic contexts. At the B2 level, using it correctly shows good register control.

Only in the sense of 'consummate' or 'perfected' (e.g., un artiste consommé). Do not use it to say someone is tired; use 'épuisé' instead.

Add an 'e' for feminine and an 's' for plural: 'consommées'. For example, 'Les boissons consommées'.

It means 'To be consumed before'. It is a standard way to indicate the shelf life of a product in French-speaking countries.

When used as a noun, yes, 'un consommé' is a clear broth. As an adjective, it has the meanings we have discussed.

Yes, in high-register French, it can mean 'consummate' or 'complete', as in 'un talent consommé'.

Very often! 'Le gâteau a été consommé' is a common structure to say the cake was eaten.

Depending on the context, opposites could be 'intact', 'neuf', 'disponible', or 'inachevé'.

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