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B1 verb #3,000 más común 9 min de lectura

消費する

To consume; to use up resources or goods.

shouhi suru
At the A1 level, learners are just beginning their Japanese journey. The concept of 'consuming' is usually introduced through simpler verbs like 食べる (taberu - to eat), 飲む (nomu - to drink), and 買う (kau - to buy). While the formal word 消費する (shouhi suru) might be too advanced for active use at this stage, A1 learners will absolutely encounter its noun form, 消費 (shouhi), in daily life. The most critical encounter is with the word 消費税 (shouhizei), which means consumption tax. When an A1 learner goes to a convenience store or supermarket in Japan, they will see prices listed with and without this tax. Understanding that 'shouhi' relates to buying and spending is a crucial survival skill. Additionally, learners might notice the characters for 'shouhi' on food packaging, specifically in the term 消費期限 (shouhi kigen - expiration date). Even if they cannot read the kanji yet, recognizing the shape of these characters helps them avoid eating spoiled food. At this level, the focus is purely on passive recognition of the noun form in highly specific, survival-oriented contexts rather than actively conjugating the verb.
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As learners progress to the A2 level, they start to build a broader vocabulary for daily activities and basic descriptions. They are comfortable with verbs like 使う (tsukau - to use) for everyday objects. At this stage, 消費する (shouhi suru) can be introduced as a slightly more formal alternative to 'using up' resources, particularly in the context of household living. An A2 learner might learn to say that their air conditioner uses a lot of electricity (電気を消費する - denki wo shouhi suru) or that their smartphone battery drains quickly. They begin to understand that while you 'use' (tsukau) a pen, you 'consume' (shouhi suru) electricity or gas. This distinction helps them sound slightly more mature and accurate when discussing household bills or daily routines. Furthermore, they can start using the word in the context of health, such as talking about burning calories (カロリーを消費する) when they go jogging or swimming. The grammar remains simple, mostly using the present tense (消費する) or past tense (消費した), but the application of the word broadens beyond just reading tax labels on receipts.
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At the B1 level, learners are expected to discuss topics of general interest, including the environment, the economy, and personal habits, with reasonable fluency. This is the level where 消費する (shouhi suru) becomes an active, essential part of their vocabulary. B1 learners can express opinions about societal issues, such as the need to reduce energy consumption (エネルギー消費を減らす) to protect the environment. They can read intermediate-level news articles or listen to broadcasts where terms like 個人消費 (kojin shouhi - personal consumption) are discussed in relation to the economy. They understand the nuance that 消費する implies depletion, distinguishing it clearly from 使う (tsukau). They can also use it metaphorically, such as expressing frustration over wasting time (時間を消費する) on unproductive tasks. Grammatically, they are comfortable using the verb in various forms, including the te-form for ongoing actions (消費している) and the potential form (消費できる). They can engage in conversations about sustainable living, discussing how much water or plastic is consumed in daily life, making their Japanese sound much more natural and contextually appropriate.
At the B2 level, learners have a strong command of the language and can understand complex, abstract topics. Their use of 消費する (shouhi suru) becomes highly nuanced and sophisticated. They can comfortably read and discuss newspaper editorials, academic papers, or business reports that heavily feature this vocabulary. B2 learners can differentiate between related terms like 浪費する (rouhi suru - to waste) and 消耗する (shoumou suru - to exhaust/wear out), choosing the exact right word for the situation. They can discuss macroeconomic concepts, such as how an increase in the consumption tax (消費税増税) affects consumer behavior (消費者の行動). They are also adept at using the passive voice, which is very common in formal Japanese writing, to say things like '大量の資源が消費されている' (A massive amount of resources is being consumed). At this level, they can debate the ethics of mass consumption (大量消費社会) and articulate complex arguments about sustainability, economic policy, and global resource management, using the word fluidly without hesitation.
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C1 learners possess an advanced, near-native level of proficiency. They can understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts and recognize implicit meaning. For a C1 learner, 消費する (shouhi suru) is merely a building block for highly complex discourse. They can effortlessly navigate specialized vocabulary and jargon related to economics, ecology, and sociology. They can discuss the psychological aspects of consumption, such as conspicuous consumption (自己顕示的消費) or the shift from consuming goods to consuming experiences (モノの消費からコトの消費へ). They can read classical or highly formal texts where the kanji might be used in less common compound words. Their grammatical control is impeccable, allowing them to use causative-passive structures or complex relative clauses involving the verb. A C1 learner can give a professional presentation in Japanese on market trends, analyzing how demographic shifts impact domestic consumption patterns, using precise, highly formal language that commands respect in a business or academic environment.
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At the C2 level, learners have achieved mastery of the Japanese language, equivalent to a highly educated native speaker. They understand with ease virtually everything heard or read. Their use of 消費する (shouhi suru) and its related concepts is flawless and culturally deeply informed. They can critique literary works, philosophical essays, or advanced economic theories that deconstruct the nature of consumerism in late-stage capitalism. They can play with the language, perhaps using the word ironically or metaphorically in creative writing. They understand the historical context of Japan's economic bubble and the subsequent 'lost decades', and how the national dialogue around 'consumption' has evolved over time. They can engage in high-level debates about the philosophical implications of a society defined by what it consumes rather than what it produces. At this stage, the word is not just vocabulary; it is a concept that they can manipulate, analyze, and discuss with absolute linguistic freedom and profound cultural insight.
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Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos

消費する en 30 segundos

  • Means 'to consume' or 'to use up'.
  • Used for energy, money, time, and calories.
  • More formal than 使う (tsukau - to use).
  • Common in news, economics, and ecology.
The Japanese verb 消費する (shouhi suru) is a fundamental vocabulary word that translates directly to 'to consume', 'to spend', or 'to use up'. It is a Category 3 (suru) verb, making it highly versatile in both spoken and written Japanese. To truly grasp the depth of this word, we must first break down its kanji components. The first character, 消 (shou), carries the meaning of 'to extinguish', 'to erase', or 'to turn off'. You might recognize it from words like 消す (kesu - to erase) or 消防 (shoubou - firefighting). The second character, 費 (hi), means 'expense', 'cost', or 'to spend', commonly seen in words like 費用 (hiyou - cost) or 学費 (gakuhi - tuition). When these two powerful characters are combined, they create a nuanced term that perfectly encapsulates the act of using resources, goods, time, or energy until they are depleted or gone. Understanding this word is absolutely crucial for navigating daily life in Japan, discussing economic trends, and addressing modern environmental issues. In contemporary society, we are all consumers, and the concept of consumption touches literally every single aspect of our daily lives. From the food we eat at the dinner table to the electricity we use to power our homes and smartphones, the act of consuming is ubiquitous and unavoidable. The Japanese language distinguishes carefully between different types of consumption, and while 消費する is a versatile term, it is often used in specific contexts such as macroeconomics, energy usage, and daily household necessities. Let us delve deeper into the nuances of this word and explore how it functions within various sentences and contexts.
Economic Consumption
In economics, shouhi refers to the purchase and use of goods and services by the public.

経済を活性化するために、もっとお金を消費する必要がある。

Beyond economics, the word is heavily used when discussing energy and resources.
Resource Depletion
Using up natural resources like water, gas, or electricity.

古いエアコンは多くの電力を消費する。

It is also used metaphorically for time and physical energy.
Time and Energy
Spending or wasting time and physical stamina on tasks.

無駄な会議で時間を消費するのは避けたい。

マラソンは大量のカロリーを消費するスポーツです。

現代人はSNSで多くの時間を消費する傾向がある。

As you can see, the word adapts to physical, abstract, and economic contexts seamlessly. Mastering its usage will significantly elevate your Japanese proficiency, especially in formal or academic settings where precise vocabulary is required. It is a word that bridges the gap between everyday conversational Japanese and advanced, professional discourse. By understanding the core concept of 'extinguishing through spending', you can intuitively grasp new compound words that feature these kanji.
Using 消費する (shouhi suru) correctly requires an understanding of its grammatical function and the types of nouns it typically takes as objects. Because it is a transitive verb, it almost always requires a direct object marked by the particle を (wo). The basic sentence structure is [Noun] を 消費する. The nouns most commonly associated with this verb fall into several distinct categories: energy, money, time, resources, and calories. Let us explore each of these categories in detail to understand how to construct natural-sounding Japanese sentences. First, let us look at energy and resources. In an era of environmental awareness, phrases like エネルギーを消費する (enerugii wo shouhi suru - to consume energy) or 電力を消費する (denryoku wo shouhi suru - to consume electricity) are incredibly common.
Energy Usage
Often paired with words like electricity, gas, and fuel.

この車はガソリンをあまり消費しない。

Second, we have the economic usage. While お金を使う (okane wo tsukau - to use money) is more common in daily conversation, 消費する is preferred in news, business, and academic contexts.
Economic Contexts
Used when discussing consumer behavior and market trends.

若者の多くがデジタルコンテンツに収入を消費する。

Third, the verb is frequently used in the context of health and fitness, specifically regarding calories.
Health and Fitness
Burning calories through exercise or daily activities.

水泳は全身の筋肉を使い、多くのカロリーを消費する。

Fourth, it can be used for abstract concepts like time and mental energy, often with a slightly negative connotation of 'wasting' or 'using up without much return'.

ゲームで週末の時間をすべて消費してしまった。

人間関係のトラブルは精神力を激しく消費する。

Grammatically, because it is a suru-verb, it conjugates easily. Past tense: 消費した (shouhi shita). Te-form: 消費して (shouhi shite). Passive: 消費される (shouhi sareru - to be consumed). The passive form is particularly important in environmental and economic discussions, where the focus is on the resource rather than the consumer. For example, '大量の紙が消費されている' (A large amount of paper is being consumed). Mastering these conjugations and collocations will allow you to express complex ideas about sustainability, economics, and personal habits with fluency and precision.
You will encounter the word 消費する (shouhi suru) and its noun form 消費 (shouhi) in a wide variety of contexts in Japan, ranging from everyday shopping to high-level political discourse. One of the most immediate and unavoidable places you will see this word is on your shopping receipts and in stores, specifically in the term 消費税 (shouhizei), which means 'consumption tax'. Japan's consumption tax is a constant topic of conversation and political debate, so understanding this word is essential for living in or visiting the country. Furthermore, when you buy food at a supermarket or convenience store, you will always see the 消費期限 (shouhi kigen), which translates to 'expiration date' or literally 'consumption time limit'. This is distinct from 賞味期限 (shoumi kigen - best before date), as the former indicates when the food is no longer safe to eat.
Daily Shopping
Found on food labels, receipts, and store signs.

この牛乳は消費期限が切れているから飲まないで。

Another major area where you will hear this word is in the news, particularly during segments about the economy, the environment, and technology. News anchors frequently discuss 個人消費 (kojin shouhi - personal consumption) when analyzing the health of the Japanese economy.
News and Media
Used in reports about GDP, economic growth, and consumer confidence.

政府は国民にもっとお金を消費するよう呼びかけている。

In the realm of technology and home appliances, you will constantly hear about 消費電力 (shouhi denryoku - power consumption). When shopping for a new refrigerator, air conditioner, or television at stores like Yodobashi Camera or Bic Camera, the power consumption rating is a major selling point.
Electronics and Appliances
A key specification for any device that plugs into a wall or uses a battery.

このスマートフォンはバッテリーを早く消費する。

省エネ家電は電力をあまり消費しないので人気です。

待機電力もエネルギーを消費する原因の一つだ。

Finally, in the context of health and fitness, you will hear personal trainers, dietitians, and fitness apps talk about カロリー消費 (karorii shouhi - calorie consumption/burning). Whether you are watching a YouTube workout video or reading a health magazine, the concept of consuming calories through exercise is ubiquitous. By paying attention to these specific contexts—shopping, news, electronics, and fitness—you will quickly realize how deeply integrated the concept of consumption is in modern Japanese society.
While 消費する (shouhi suru) is a highly useful word, Japanese learners often make mistakes by confusing it with other verbs that mean 'to use' or 'to eat', or by using it in inappropriate contexts. The most common mistake is using 消費する when the simpler verb 使う (tsukau - to use) would be more natural. 使う is a broad, general-purpose verb for using tools, money, time, or facilities. 消費する, on the other hand, implies that the thing being used is depleted, exhausted, or permanently gone after use. It also carries a more formal, objective, or academic tone.
Overusing in Casual Speech
Using the formal 'shouhi suru' instead of the casual 'tsukau' for everyday actions.

❌ ペンを消費する。 (Unnatural)
⭕ ペンを使う。 (Natural)

Another frequent error involves food. While the English word 'consume' can mean 'to eat or drink' (e.g., 'He consumed three hamburgers'), using 消費する in this way in Japanese sounds extremely robotic, scientific, or strange. In Japanese, you should use 食べる (taberu - to eat) or 飲む (nomu - to drink) for the physical act of human consumption.
Confusing with Eating
Translating the English 'consume' directly when referring to eating meals.

❌ 私は毎日りんごを消費する。 (Sounds like a math problem)
⭕ 私は毎日りんごを食べる。 (Natural)

A third common mistake is related to time. While you can say 時間を消費する (jikan wo shouhi suru), it usually carries a negative nuance of wasting time or spending time without producing anything of value. If you simply mean 'to spend time' doing something enjoyable or necessary, 過ごす (sugosu - to spend time) or 時間をかける (jikan wo kakeru - to take time) are much better choices.
Nuance with Time
Using it for positive or neutral time-spending.

❌ 家族と楽しい時間を消費した。 (Implies the time was wasted)
⭕ 家族と楽しい時間を過ごした。 (Natural)

❌ 宿題に時間を消費する。 (Unnatural)
⭕ 宿題に時間をかける。 (Natural)

スマホを見て無駄に時間を消費してしまった。 (This is correct because it implies wasting time).

By being mindful of these distinctions—especially the difference between using a tool, eating a meal, and depleting a resource—you can avoid these common pitfalls and sound much more like a native Japanese speaker.
To fully master the concept of consumption in Japanese, it is helpful to understand the synonyms and related words that share similar meanings to 消費する (shouhi suru). The Japanese language is rich in vocabulary related to using, spending, and depleting, and choosing the right word depends heavily on the context, the object being used, and the desired level of formality. The most basic and common synonym is 使う (tsukau), which simply means 'to use'. As discussed earlier, 使う is the go-to word for everyday situations involving tools, money, and time.
使う (tsukau)
The general word for 'to use'. Less formal and less focused on depletion than shouhi suru.

お金を使うのは簡単だが、稼ぐのは難しい。

Another closely related word is 費やす (tsuiyasu), which means 'to spend' or 'to devote'. This word is often used with time, money, or effort, and it emphasizes the investment of these resources into a specific project or goal. It has a slightly more literary or formal feel than 使う.
費やす (tsuiyasu)
To spend or devote (time, money, effort) to something specific.

彼は研究に多くの時間を費やした。

When discussing the negative aspect of consumption—wasting—the word 浪費する (rouhi suru) is essential. 浪費 means 'waste', 'extravagance', or 'squandering'. If 消費する is neutral consumption, 浪費する is irresponsible consumption.
浪費する (rouhi suru)
To waste or squander resources, money, or time.

ギャンブルでお金を浪費するべきではない。

In the context of energy and resources, you might also encounter 消耗する (shoumou suru), which means 'to exhaust', 'to wear out', or 'to deplete'. While 消費 implies using something up (like gas), 消耗 often implies wearing something down through use (like tires, batteries, or physical stamina).

激しい運動で体力を消耗した。

タイヤが消耗しているので交換が必要です。

By understanding the subtle differences between 使う (general use), 費やす (devoting resources), 浪費する (wasting), 消耗する (wearing out), and 消費する (depleting through use), you can express your thoughts with incredible precision and nuance in Japanese.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

""

Nivel de dificultad

Gramática que debes saber

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Ejemplos por nivel

1

これは消費税です。

This is the consumption tax.

Noun usage: 消費 (shouhi) + 税 (zei).

2

消費期限を見ます。

I look at the expiration date.

Noun usage: 消費期限 (shouhi kigen).

3

水を使います。

I use water. (Note: A1 uses tsukau instead of shouhi suru).

Using 使う (tsukau) as a simpler alternative.

4

お金を使います。

I use money.

Using 使う (tsukau).

5

パンを食べます。

I eat bread. (Instead of 'consume').

Using 食べる (taberu) for food.

6

消費税は10パーセントです。

The consumption tax is 10 percent.

Basic A = B sentence structure.

7

これを買います。

I will buy this.

Buying is the first step of consumption.

8

ジュースを飲みます。

I drink juice.

Using 飲む (nomu) for liquids.

1

エアコンは電気を消費します。

Air conditioners consume electricity.

Basic verb usage: Noun + を + 消費します.

2

カロリーを消費するために走ります。

I run to consume (burn) calories.

Using ために (in order to).

3

この車はガソリンをあまり消費しません。

This car doesn't consume much gasoline.

Negative form: 消費しません.

4

ゲームで時間を消費しました。

I consumed (wasted) time on games.

Past tense: 消費しました.

5

たくさんのお金が消費されました。

A lot of money was consumed (spent).

Passive form: 消費されました.

6

消費期限が切れた肉は食べません。

I don't eat meat that has passed its expiration date.

Relative clause modifying 肉 (meat).

7

日本の消費税は高いですか？

Is Japan's consumption tax high?

Question form.

8

エネルギーを消費しないようにします。

I try not to consume energy.

Using ようにする (make an effort to).

1

現代社会では、大量の資源が消費されている。

In modern society, a massive amount of resources is being consumed.

Passive progressive: 消費されている.

2

無駄な会議でエネルギーを消費したくない。

I don't want to consume energy on useless meetings.

Desire form: 消費したくない.

3

エコバッグを使って、プラスチックの消費を減らしましょう。

Let's use eco-bags to reduce the consumption of plastic.

Noun form + を減らす (to reduce).

4

消費者のニーズを理解することが重要です。

It is important to understand the needs of consumers.

Compound noun: 消費者 (shouhisha - consumer).

5

運動すればするほど、カロリーを消費します。

The more you exercise, the more calories you consume.

Conditional structure: ～ば～ほど.

6

このアプリはバッテリーの消費が激しい。

This app's battery consumption is intense (drains battery fast).

Noun form as subject: 消費が激しい.

7

私たちは毎日何かを消費して生きている。

We live by consuming something every day.

Te-form linking verbs: 消費して生きている.

8

国内の個人消費が落ち込んでいるというニュースを見た。

I saw the news that domestic personal consumption is declining.

Quoting information: ～というニュース.

1

持続可能な社会を築くためには、エネルギーの消費効率を高める必要がある。

To build a sustainable society, it is necessary to improve energy consumption efficiency.

Compound noun: 消費効率 (consumption efficiency).

2

消費税の増税は、低所得者の生活に大きな打撃を与えるだろう。

An increase in the consumption tax will likely deal a heavy blow to the lives of low-income earners.

Formal prediction: ～だろう.

3

現代の若者は、モノを所有することよりも、体験を消費することに価値を見出している。

Modern youth find value in consuming experiences rather than owning things.

Comparison: ～よりも～することに.

4

SNSの普及により、情報が瞬時に消費され、忘れ去られていく。

With the spread of SNS, information is consumed instantly and forgotten.

Passive sequence: 消費され、忘れ去られていく.

5

企業は消費者の購買意欲を刺激するために、様々な広告戦略を展開している。

Companies are deploying various advertising strategies to stimulate consumers' desire to purchase.

Complex purpose clause: ～を刺激するために.

6

資源を浪費するのではなく、計画的に消費することが求められている。

It is required to consume resources systematically, rather than wasting them.

Contrast: ～のではなく、～すること.

7

ストレスが溜まると、無意識のうちに甘いものを大量に消費してしまう。

When stress builds up, I end up consuming a large amount of sweets unconsciously.

Regret/completion form: 消費してしまう.

8

この製品は、待機電力をほとんど消費しないように設計されています。

This product is designed so that it consumes almost no standby power.

Passive design clause: ～ように設計されています.

1

大量生産・大量消費を前提とした経済モデルは、もはや限界に達していると言わざるを得ない。

It must be said that the economic model predicated on mass production and mass consumption has already reached its limit.

Formal expression of unavoidable conclusion: ～と言わざるを得ない.

2

政府の景気刺激策は、一時的な消費喚起には繋がったものの、根本的な経済成長には寄与しなかった。

Although the government's economic stimulus measures led to a temporary arousal of consumption, they did not contribute to fundamental economic growth.

Concession: ～には繋がったものの.

3

自己顕示的消費は、資本主義社会におけるステータスシンボルとしての役割を果たしている。

Conspicuous consumption plays a role as a status symbol in capitalist society.

Academic terminology: 自己顕示的消費 (conspicuous consumption).

4

現代のコンテンツ産業は、ユーザーの可処分時間をいかに自社のサービスで消費させるかを競っている。

The modern content industry is competing over how to make users consume their disposable time on their own services.

Causative form: 消費させる (make someone consume).

5

化石燃料の過剰な消費が引き起こす気候変動は、人類の存続を脅かす喫緊の課題である。

Climate change caused by the excessive consumption of fossil fuels is an urgent issue threatening the survival of humanity.

Complex noun modification: ～が引き起こす気候変動.

6

消費者の倫理的意識の高まりにより、フェアトレード商品の需要が徐々に拡大しつつある。

Due to the rising ethical awareness of consumers, the demand for fair trade products is gradually expanding.

Ongoing trend: ～しつつある.

7

彼は莫大な遺産をわずか数年で消費し尽くし、自己破産に追い込まれた。

He consumed (squandered) his vast inheritance in just a few years and was driven into personal bankruptcy.

Compound verb for completion: 消費し尽くす (to consume entirely).

8

文化的資本の消費は、単なる経済活動を超えたアイデンティティの形成プロセスである。

The consumption of cultural capital is a process of identity formation that goes beyond mere economic activity.

Abstract philosophical statement.

1

ボードリヤールが指摘するように、現代社会において我々が消費しているのはモノの機能ではなく、それが表象する記号である。

As Baudrillard points out, what we are consuming in modern society is not the function of the object, but the sign it represents.

Advanced philosophical discourse: 記号の消費 (consumption of signs).

2

限界消費性向の低下は、成熟した先進国経済が直面する構造的なジレンマを浮き彫りにしている。

The decline in the marginal propensity to consume highlights the structural dilemma faced by mature advanced economies.

Macroeconomic terminology: 限界消費性向 (marginal propensity to consume).

3

情報が氾濫する今日、真に希少な資源は情報そのものではなく、それを処理し消費するための人間の注意力である。

Today, when information is overflowing, the truly scarce resource is not information itself, but human attention to process and consume it.

Complex parallel structure.

4

グローバルサプライチェーンの不透明性が、先進国における無自覚な搾取的消費を助長しているという批判は免れない。

The criticism that the opacity of global supply chains fosters unconscious exploitative consumption in developed countries is unavoidable.

Formal critique: ～という批判は免れない.

5

芸術作品が資本の論理に組み込まれ、単なる投機対象として消費される現状に、強い危惧を抱かざるを得ない。

I cannot help but harbor strong apprehension about the current situation where works of art are incorporated into the logic of capital and consumed merely as objects of speculation.

Emotional/formal expression: ～に強い危惧を抱かざるを得ない.

6

コモディティ化が極限まで進んだ市場では、意味の消費こそが唯一の差別化要因となり得る。

In a market where commoditization has progressed to the extreme, the consumption of meaning can be the only differentiating factor.

Emphasis: ～こそが.

7

彼らのライフスタイルは、環境負荷を最小限に抑えつつ精神的豊かさを追求する、脱消費主義の体現と言えよう。

Their lifestyle can be said to be the embodiment of post-consumerism, pursuing spiritual wealth while keeping environmental impact to a minimum.

Formal conclusion: ～と言えよう.

8

言語という共有財産さえもが、アルゴリズムによって最適化され、瞬発的なエンゲージメントのために消費され尽くす時代が到来した。

An era has arrived where even the shared property of language is optimized by algorithms and consumed entirely for instantaneous engagement.

Dramatic/literary phrasing: ～時代が到来した.

Colocaciones comunes

エネルギーを消費する (consume energy)
電力を消費する (consume electricity)
カロリーを消費する (burn calories)
時間を消費する (consume/waste time)
お金を消費する (consume/spend money)
資源を消費する (consume resources)
大量に消費する (consume in large quantities)
無駄に消費する (consume wastefully)
バッテリーを消費する (consume battery)
燃料を消費する (consume fuel)

Frases Comunes

消費税 (shouhizei - consumption tax)

消費者 (shouhisha - consumer)

消費期限 (shouhi kigen - expiration date)

消費電力 (shouhi denryoku - power consumption)

個人消費 (kojin shouhi - personal consumption)

大量消費 (tairyou shouhi - mass consumption)

消費社会 (shouhi shakai - consumer society)

カロリー消費 (karorii shouhi - calorie burning)

消費動向 (shouhi doukou - consumer trends)

消費生活 (shouhi seikatsu - consumer life)

Se confunde a menudo con

消費する vs 使う (tsukau - to use): Tsukau is general use; shouhi suru implies depletion.

消費する vs 食べる (taberu - to eat): English 'consume' can mean eat, but Japanese 'shouhi suru' sounds robotic for meals.

消費する vs 費やす (tsuiyasu - to spend/devote): Tsuiyasu implies investing resources into a goal; shouhi suru is just using them up.

Modismos y expresiones

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Fácil de confundir

消費する vs

消費する vs

消費する vs

消費する vs

消費する vs

Patrones de oraciones

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Cómo usarlo

note

While grammatically correct to say '水を消費する' (consume water), in everyday conversation about drinking a glass of water, '水を飲む' is used. '水を消費する' is reserved for discussing water as a resource, like a city's water consumption.

Errores comunes
  • Using 消費する instead of 食べる for eating meals.
  • Using 消費する instead of 使う for everyday tools like pens or computers.
  • Confusing 消費期限 (expiration date) with 賞味期限 (best before date).
  • Using 時間を消費する for positive experiences instead of 時間を過ごす.
  • Forgetting the particle を when specifying the resource being consumed.

Consejos

Always use を (wo)

Because 消費する is a transitive verb, it requires a direct object. Always mark the thing being consumed with the particle を. For example, 電気を消費する (consume electricity). Do not use に or で for the object.

Depletion vs. Utilization

Remember that shouhi implies the object is gone after use. You utilize (tsukau) a hammer, but you consume (shouhi suru) nails. Keep this distinction in mind to sound more native. It elevates your vocabulary significantly.

Look at your receipts

The easiest way to remember this word is to look at any receipt from a Japanese store. You will always see 消費税 (shouhizei) printed at the bottom. Connecting the word to a real-life object helps cement it in your memory.

Fitness talk

If you go to a gym in Japan or talk to Japanese friends about working out, use カロリーを消費する. It is the most natural way to say 'burn calories'. It shows you know vocabulary beyond basic verbs.

Use in essays

If you are taking the JLPT or writing an essay in Japanese, using 消費する instead of 使う will immediately make your writing look more advanced. It is perfect for topics on the environment or economy. Graders look for this kind of vocabulary.

Break down the characters

The first kanji 消 means to erase or extinguish. The second 費 means expense. Together, they mean to erase through spending. Remembering the kanji meanings helps you understand the core concept of the word.

Watch the news

Tune into NHK news, especially the economic segments. You will hear words like 個人消費 (personal consumption) and 消費者 (consumer) constantly. It is excellent listening practice for formal Japanese.

Check your bento boxes

When buying food at a convenience store, always look for the 消費期限 (expiration date). It is a practical application of the word that ensures you eat safe food. It's a survival skill in Japan!

Don't use it for meals

Never say 'I consumed a hamburger' using 消費する in Japanese. It sounds bizarre. Always use 食べる (taberu) for eating. Save shouhi for resources, energy, and abstract concepts.

Pair with 'tairyou'

A very common pairing is 大量に消費する (tairyou ni shouhi suru - to consume in large quantities). Use this phrase when talking about modern society or environmental issues to sound highly fluent.

Memorízalo

Mnemotecnia

Imagine SHOWING (shou) someone how HE (hi) consumes all the electricity by leaving the lights on.

Origen de la palabra

Sino-Japanese (Kango)

Contexto cultural

Neutral/Formal. Appropriate for all settings, but slightly stiff for casual conversation about everyday objects.

Became highly prominent in the post-WWII era during Japan's rapid economic growth, shifting from a society of scarcity to one of mass consumption.

Standard Japanese. No major regional variations in usage.

Practica en la vida real

Contextos reales

Inicios de conversación

"最近、日本の消費税についてどう思いますか？ (What do you think about Japan's consumption tax recently?)"

"カロリーを消費するために、どんな運動をしていますか？ (What kind of exercise do you do to burn calories?)"

"電気をあまり消費しない家電を使っていますか？ (Do you use appliances that don't consume much electricity?)"

"無駄に時間を消費してしまうことはありますか？ (Do you ever end up wasting/consuming time unnecessarily?)"

"日本の大量消費社会についてどう感じますか？ (How do you feel about Japan's mass consumption society?)"

Temas para diario

Write about a time you felt you consumed too much time on a useless activity.

Describe your daily energy consumption habits and how you could improve them.

Discuss the impact of the consumption tax on your daily budget.

Explain the difference between 'using' something and 'consuming' it in your own words.

Write a short essay on how society can move away from mass consumption.

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

No, it sounds very unnatural in Japanese. If you say 'りんごを消費する' (I consume an apple), it sounds like a math problem or a scientific report. Always use 食べる (taberu) for the physical act of eating. You only use 消費する with food when talking about national statistics, like 'Japan consumes a lot of rice.'

使う (tsukau) is the general word for 'to use' and is perfect for everyday situations, like using a pen or using money. 消費する (shouhi suru) specifically means to use something up until it is depleted, like energy or resources. It is also much more formal and academic than 使う. Use 使う for tools, and 消費する for resources.

The word is 消費税 (shouhizei). It combines 消費 (shouhi - consumption) and 税 (zei - tax). This is one of the most common places you will see this word in daily life in Japan. It is currently set at 10% for most items.

Yes, but it usually carries a negative nuance. It implies that you are wasting time or using it up without getting anything meaningful in return. If you want to say you spent a nice time with friends, use 時間を過ごす (jikan wo sugosu) instead.

It means 'expiration date'. It is the date by which the food must be consumed for safety reasons. This is different from 賞味期限 (shoumi kigen), which is the 'best before' date, indicating when the food tastes best but might still be safe to eat later.

Yes, absolutely! This is a very common and natural usage. You can say カロリーを消費する (karorii wo shouhi suru) to mean burning calories through exercise or daily activities. It is frequently used in fitness and health contexts.

The passive form is 消費される (shouhi sareru). It is heavily used in news and academic writing when the focus is on the resource being used rather than the person using it. For example, '大量のエネルギーが消費されている' (A large amount of energy is being consumed).

While there aren't many traditional idioms with the exact word, there are many common set phrases like 大量消費 (tairyou shouhi - mass consumption) or 個人消費 (kojin shouhi - personal consumption). For idioms about wasting resources, Japanese often uses phrases like 湯水のように使う (to use like hot and cold water).

The term is 消費電力 (shouhi denryoku). You will see this on the specification labels of all electrical appliances in Japan. A lower number means the device is more energy-efficient (省エネ - shou-ene).

Yes, it is typically introduced around the JLPT N3 or N2 level. While the concept of buying things is N5/N4, the formal word for consumption is considered intermediate to upper-intermediate. The kanji themselves are also tested at these levels.

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