At the A1 level, you only need to know 'verdauen' in its simplest form: eating and the body. Imagine you are eating a big apple. Your body needs to 'verdauen' (digest) it. It is a word you might use when you talk about being full or having a stomach ache. You don't need to worry about complex grammar yet. Just remember that 'ich verdaue' means 'I am digesting'. It is a regular verb, so it follows the patterns you learn first. In A1, we focus on basic needs like food and health. If you eat too much chocolate, your stomach has a hard time to 'verdauen'. This is the most basic way to use the word. You can also think of animals. A dog eats meat and must 'verdauen' it. It is a physical action. Don't worry about the 'mental' meaning yet. Keep it simple: food goes in, the body must 'verdauen'.
At the A2 level, you can start using 'verdauen' in slightly more complex sentences. You might say 'Nach dem Essen muss ich verdauen' (After eating, I must digest). You are beginning to use modal verbs like 'müssen' (must) or 'können' (can). You can also use the past tense: 'Ich habe das Essen gut verdaut' (I digested the food well). At this level, you might also hear it in the context of health advice. A doctor might say, 'Trinken Sie Wasser, um besser zu verdauen.' You are still mostly using it for food, but you are becoming more comfortable with the sentence structure. It is important to know that it is a 'ver-' verb, which means the 'ver-' stays at the front and you don't add 'ge-' in the past tense. This is a key rule for A2 learners to master. You can also start to see it in simple stories about animals or nature.
At the B1 level, you reach the 'bridge' where 'verdauen' becomes very interesting. This is where you start using the word figuratively. You don't just digest pizza; you also digest 'Nachrichten' (news) or 'Informationen'. If someone tells you that your favorite show is canceled, you need time to 'verdauen' that news. This level requires you to understand that 'verdauen' implies a process. It takes time. You might use phrases like 'Das muss ich erst mal verdauen' (I need to digest that first). This is a very common idiomatic expression in Germany. You should also be able to use it in different tenses comfortably, including the Präteritum (verdaute) and the Perfekt (hat verdaut). You will encounter this word in newspapers or during conversations about personal experiences. It shows that you understand the deeper, metaphorical side of the German language.
At the B2 level, you should be able to use 'verdauen' with nuance. You can distinguish between 'leicht verdaulich' (easy to digest) and 'schwer verdaulich' (hard to digest), not just for food but for books, films, or lectures. A complex philosophy book is 'schwer verdauliche Kost' (hard-to-digest fare). You can use the word in professional contexts, like after a business meeting where a lot of data was presented. 'Wir müssen diese Zahlen erst einmal verdauen, bevor wir eine Entscheidung treffen.' You also understand the passive-like nature of the word—even though it's active, it describes something happening inside you. Your vocabulary around 'verdauen' should include related nouns like 'die Verdauung' and adjectives like 'unverdaulich'. You are now using the word to express sophisticated thoughts about how you process reality.
At the C1 level, 'verdauen' is a tool for precise expression. You use it to describe the societal or psychological processing of events. For example, you might discuss how a nation 'verdaute' a historical event or how a market 'verdaute' a sudden crash. You understand the subtle differences between 'verdauen', 'verarbeiten', and 'verkraften'. You can use the word in academic or literary analyses. 'Der Autor nutzt die Metapher des Verdauens, um die langsame Akzeptanz des Todes darzustellen.' Your grammar is flawless, and you can use the word in complex sentence structures, including the subjunctive (Konjunktiv) or passive constructions. You are sensitive to the register—knowing when it sounds too clinical and when it sounds perfectly empathetic. You can also play with the word in creative writing to describe internal states.
At the C2 level, you have a complete, native-like command of 'verdauen'. You can use it in all its metaphorical glory, including rare or archaic contexts. You might use it in a philosophical discussion about the 'digestion of time' or the 'digestion of existence'. You understand the etymological roots and how they relate to other Germanic languages. You can use irony or humor with the word, perhaps referring to a boring speech as 'eine unverdauliche Zumutung'. You are comfortable with all idiomatic expressions and can even invent your own based on the logic of the word. You can read medical journals or high-level literature where 'verdauen' might be used in highly specific, technical, or poetic ways. The word is no longer just a vocabulary item; it is a versatile instrument in your linguistic repertoire, used to convey the finest shades of meaning.

verdauen em 30 segundos

  • Verdauen means to digest food biologically, focusing on the body's breakdown of nutrients.
  • It is frequently used figuratively to mean processing difficult news, shocks, or complex information.
  • As an inseparable verb starting with 'ver-', it does not take the 'ge-' prefix in the past participle.
  • It is a key B1-level word for discussing health, emotions, and reacting to significant life events.

The German verb verdauen primarily describes the biological process of digestion, where the body breaks down food into nutrients. However, its usage extends far beyond the stomach. In a metaphorical sense, it refers to the mental or emotional processing of information, experiences, or shocking news. When a German speaker says they need to 'verdauen' something, they are often referring to a situation that is difficult to grasp or accept immediately. This dual nature makes it a vital word for both daily survival conversations and deep emotional sharing.

Biological Context
In medical or everyday health contexts, it refers to the physiological breakdown of food. It is a weak verb (regelmäßiges Verb), following standard conjugation patterns: ich verdaue, du verdaust, er verdaut.

Kühe haben vier Magenabteilungen, um Gras besser zu verdauen.

Psychological Context
This is perhaps the most common way you will encounter the word in literature or serious conversation. It implies 'taking it all in' or 'coming to terms with' a difficult reality. If someone loses their job, they need time to 'verdauen' the news.

The word is central to German health culture. You will hear it in pharmacies when discussing 'Verdauungsprobleme' (digestive issues) or in social settings when someone has eaten a particularly heavy meal like 'Schweinshaxe'. In the latter case, a 'Verdauungsschnaps' (a digestive schnapps) might be offered. This illustrates how deeply the concept is embedded in social rituals. To master 'verdauen' is to understand both the physical and mental resilience required in German life.

Nach dem schweren Essen muss ich mich erst einmal hinlegen und verdauen.

Social Nuance
Using 'verdauen' for information shows a level of honesty. It signals to the listener that the information was significant and requires mental energy to integrate into one's worldview.

Diese Kritik war hart; ich muss sie erst verdauen.

Hast du die Nachricht schon verdaut?

Manche Menschen können Laktose nicht verdauen.

Using verdauen correctly requires an understanding of its grammatical structure and the objects it typically takes. As a transitive verb, it requires an accusative object—what is being digested. Whether it is a piece of 'Kuchen' (cake) or a 'Niederlage' (defeat), the structure remains consistent.

Direct Objects
Common objects include food items (Fleisch, Gemüse), liquids (Milch), or abstract concepts (Schock, Nachricht, Kritik, Erlebnis).

Ich kann fettiges Essen am Abend nur schwer verdauen.

Tense Changes
In the past tense (Perfekt), it uses the auxiliary verb 'haben'. Example: 'Er hat das Mittagessen schnell verdaut.' In the Präteritum: 'Sie verdaute die Neuigkeiten schweigend.'

When using it figuratively, you will often find it paired with adverbs of time or difficulty. Phrases like 'erst einmal' (first of all) or 'schwer' (hard) are frequent companions. This emphasizes that the 'digestion' is a process that takes time and effort. It is not an instantaneous action but a transition from a state of shock to a state of understanding.

Gib mir einen Moment, ich muss das Gelesene erst verdauen.

Modal Verbs
It is frequently used with 'müssen' (must) or 'können' (can). 'Ich muss das verdauen' implies a necessity of processing, while 'Ich kann das nicht verdauen' might mean an inability to accept a fact.

Wir müssen die bittere Enttäuschung gemeinsam verdauen.

Das Kind kann die Rohkost noch nicht gut verdauen.

Er verdaute die Information schneller als erwartet.

The word verdauen appears in three main arenas of German life: the kitchen/dining table, the doctor's office, and the emotional landscape of daily interactions. Understanding these contexts helps you recognize the subtle shift between its literal and figurative meanings.

At the Dining Table
Germans take their bread and hearty meals seriously. You will often hear people discussing whether a meal was 'leicht verdaulich' (easy to digest) or 'schwer verdaulich' (hard to digest). It's a common topic of small talk during or after a meal.

Nach dem Gänsebraten brauchen wir einen Spaziergang, um zu verdauen.

In News and Media
Journalists often use 'verdauen' when reporting on economic shocks or political changes. Headline: 'Die Märkte müssen die Zinserhöhung erst verdauen' (The markets first need to digest the interest rate hike).

In the medical field, 'verdauen' is used clinically. A doctor might ask, 'Wie verdauen Sie diese Medikamente?' (How do you digest/tolerate these medications?). It covers the body's reaction to substances. In sports, after a big loss, a coach might say in a post-match interview, 'Wir müssen dieses Ergebnis jetzt erst einmal verdauen.' This shows how the word acts as a bridge between the physical and the psychological.

Die Börse hat den Schock noch nicht verdaut.

Interpersonal Relationships
Friends use it to express empathy. If you tell a friend something shocking, they might reply: 'Lass dir Zeit, das zu verdauen.' (Take your time to digest that.)

Sie konnte die Trennung nur schwer verdauen.

Wie hat dein Magen das scharfe Essen verdaut?

Das Gehirn braucht Schlaf, um Erlebnisse zu verdauen.

Even intermediate learners often stumble when using verdauen. The most frequent errors involve conjugation, auxiliary verbs, and confusing it with similar-sounding or similar-meaning words.

The 'ge-' Mistake
Because 'verdauen' starts with the inseparable prefix 'ver-', it never takes a 'ge-' in the past participle. Saying 'ich habe geverdaut' is a classic mistake. The correct form is 'ich habe verdaut'.

Falsch: Ich habe das Essen geverdaut. Richtig: Ich habe das Essen verdaut.

Confusion with 'verarbeiten'
While both mean 'to process', 'verarbeiten' is more general (processing raw materials, data, or trauma). 'Verdauen' specifically implies the internal, often slow, 'digestion' of something that was 'swallowed'—like news or food.

Another error is the incorrect use of the auxiliary verb. Since 'verdauen' is a process that an actor (the stomach or the mind) performs on an object, it always uses 'haben'. Do not use 'sein', even though it describes a change of state in the object. It's 'Ich habe verdaut', not 'Ich bin verdaut'.

Falsch: Der Schock ist verdaut. Richtig: Ich habe den Schock verdaut.

Word Order with 'müssen'
In subordinate clauses, the verb moves to the end. Learners often forget this. 'Weil ich das erst verdauen muss...' is correct. 'Weil ich muss das erst verdauen' is incorrect.

Ich brauche Ruhe, weil mein Körper die Nahrung verdauen muss.

Er konnte die Nachricht nicht verdauen, ohne zu weinen.

Wir haben die Fakten schnell verdaut.

German is rich with verbs that describe processing or breaking things down. Choosing the right one depends on whether you are talking about food, emotions, or data. Here is a comparison of verdauen with its closest relatives.

Verdauen vs. Verarbeiten
'Verdauen' is passive and internal (you can't rush digestion). 'Verarbeiten' is active and constructive (processing wood into a table, or data into a report). Figuratively, 'verdauen' is about the initial shock; 'verarbeiten' is about the long-term healing.

Er muss das Trauma erst verarbeiten, nachdem er den Schock verdaut hat.

Verdauen vs. Zersetzen
'Zersetzen' means to decompose or disintegrate. It is a chemical or biological term used for rotting or acid breaking things down. 'Verdauen' is the biological function of an organism.

In a casual setting, you might use 'schlucken' (to swallow). If someone gives you bad news, you 'swallow' it first, then you 'digest' it. Another related word is 'aufnehmen' (to take in/absorb), which is less about the difficulty and more about the simple act of receiving information.

Das war eine bittere Pille, die er schlucken musste, bevor er sie verdauen konnte.

Verdauen vs. Assimilieren
'Assimilieren' is more academic and sociological. It refers to integrating into a culture or fully incorporating knowledge. 'Verdauen' remains more grounded in the immediate reaction.

Er verdaut die Kritik noch, aber er wird sie bald akzeptieren.

Manche Wahrheiten sind schwer zu verdauen.

Hast du die neuen Regeln schon verdaut?

How Formal Is It?

Curiosidade

The root of 'verdauen' is the same as the word for 'thaw' (tauen). In the past, people imagined digestion as a process of 'melting' food inside the warm body.

Guia de pronúncia

UK /fɛɐ̯ˈdaʊ̯ən/
US /fɛrˈdaʊ̯ən/
The stress is on the second syllable: ver-DAU-en.
Rima com
bauen kauen schauen trauen hauen stauen tauen brauen
Erros comuns
  • Pronouncing the 'v' like a voiced English 'v' (it should be an 'f' sound).
  • Stress on the first syllable (the prefix 'ver-' is never stressed).
  • Mispronouncing 'au' as 'o' or 'u'.
  • Over-pronouncing the final 'n' (it should be a soft schwa-n).
  • Adding a 'ge-' in the past participle.

Nível de dificuldade

Leitura 3/5

Easy to recognize in context, especially with food or news.

Escrita 4/5

Common mistake is adding 'ge-' in the past participle.

Expressão oral 3/5

The pronunciation of 'v' as 'f' and the 'au' diphthong are key.

Audição 3/5

Clear pronunciation, but the 'ver-' prefix can sound like 'für' to untrained ears.

O que aprender depois

Pré-requisitos

essen trinken der Bauch der Magen die Zeit

Aprenda a seguir

verarbeiten verkraften die Ernährung der Stoffwechsel die Gesundheit

Avançado

assimilieren metabolisieren internalisieren reflektieren bewältigen

Gramática essencial

Inseparable Prefixes

Ver- is inseparable, so no 'ge-' in Partizip II (verdaut).

Transitive Verbs

Verdauen takes an Accusative object: Ich verdauen den (Akk) Apfel.

Auxiliary Verb 'haben'

Perfekt is formed with 'haben': Ich habe verdaut.

Word Order in Subordinate Clauses

... weil ich das erst verdauen muss.

Adjectival Participles

Verdaulich (digestible) is an adjective derived from the verb.

Exemplos por nível

1

Ich muss das Brot verdauen.

I must digest the bread.

Simple S-V-O structure.

2

Der Hund verdaut sein Futter.

The dog is digesting its food.

Present tense, 3rd person singular.

3

Kannst du das Fleisch verdauen?

Can you digest the meat?

Question with modal verb 'können'.

4

Mein Magen verdaut jetzt.

My stomach is digesting now.

Intransitive-like use (object implied).

5

Wir verdauen das Abendessen.

We are digesting dinner.

Plural present tense.

6

Verdaust du den Apfel?

Are you digesting the apple?

Direct question.

7

Er verdaut sehr langsam.

He digests very slowly.

Use of adverb 'langsam'.

8

Sie verdaut die Milch nicht.

She does not digest the milk.

Negation with 'nicht'.

1

Hast du das schwere Essen verdaut?

Have you digested the heavy food?

Perfekt tense. No 'ge-' prefix.

2

Ich habe gestern zu viel verdaut.

I digested too much yesterday.

Perfekt tense with 'haben'.

3

Der Körper braucht Zeit, um zu verdauen.

The body needs time to digest.

Infinitiv with 'zu'.

4

Wir verdaute das Mittagessen im Schlaf.

We digested lunch while sleeping.

Präteritum (simple past).

5

Können Schlangen große Tiere verdauen?

Can snakes digest large animals?

Modal verb in a question.

6

Ich möchte in Ruhe verdauen.

I would like to digest in peace.

Modal verb 'möchte'.

7

Er hat den Fisch nicht gut verdaut.

He didn't digest the fish well.

Perfekt with negation.

8

Trink Tee, um besser zu verdauen.

Drink tea to digest better.

Imperative and 'um...zu'.

1

Ich muss diese Nachricht erst mal verdauen.

I need to digest this news first.

Figurative use.

2

Hast du den Schock schon verdaut?

Have you already digested the shock?

Figurative use in Perfekt.

3

Es ist schwer, so viel Kritik zu verdauen.

It is hard to digest so much criticism.

Adjective 'schwer' + Infinitiv.

4

Die Firma muss die Verluste verdauen.

The company must digest the losses.

Business context.

5

Nach dem Film mussten wir das Ende verdauen.

After the movie, we had to digest the ending.

Präteritum modal.

6

Er verdaute die Information schweigend.

He digested the information silently.

Präteritum with adverb.

7

Manche Erlebnisse kann man nicht schnell verdauen.

Some experiences cannot be digested quickly.

General subject 'man'.

8

Lass uns spazieren gehen, um das Essen zu verdauen.

Let's go for a walk to digest the food.

Social suggestion.

1

Das ist wirklich schwer verdauliche Kost.

That is really hard-to-digest fare (material).

Adjectival participle 'verdaulich'.

2

Die Märkte haben die Zinserhöhung bereits verdaut.

The markets have already digested the interest rate hike.

Financial register.

3

Sie hat die Trennung immer noch nicht ganz verdaut.

She still hasn't quite digested the breakup.

Emotional register.

4

Das Gehirn braucht den Schlaf, um den Tag zu verdauen.

The brain needs sleep to digest the day.

Psychological register.

5

Er verdaute den Erfolg erstaunlich schnell.

He digested the success surprisingly quickly.

Nuanced adverb 'erstaunlich'.

6

Diese Theorie ist für Anfänger schwer zu verdauen.

This theory is hard for beginners to digest.

Academic register.

7

Wir haben die neuen Regeln der Regierung verdaut.

We have digested the new government rules.

Political register.

8

Man muss die Fakten erst verdauen, bevor man urteilt.

One must digest the facts first before judging.

Conditional 'bevor' clause.

1

Die Gesellschaft muss diesen kulturellen Wandel erst verdauen.

Society must first digest this cultural shift.

Sociological register.

2

Er verdaute die bittere Pille der Niederlage mit Würde.

He digested the bitter pill of defeat with dignity.

Metaphorical 'bittere Pille'.

3

Manche Wahrheiten sind schlichtweg unmöglich zu verdauen.

Some truths are simply impossible to digest.

Emphasis with 'schlichtweg'.

4

Die literarische Welt verdaute sein Werk nur langsam.

The literary world digested his work only slowly.

Abstract subject.

5

Nachdem er die Kritik verdaut hatte, begann er von vorn.

After he had digested the criticism, he started over.

Plusquamperfekt.

6

Es gilt, die Komplexität der Situation zu verdauen.

It is necessary to digest the complexity of the situation.

Formal 'Es gilt... zu'.

7

Die psychische Belastung war kaum zu verdauen.

The psychological burden was hardly to be digested.

Gerundive-like structure 'sein zu + Infinitiv'.

8

Sie verdaute die Nachricht, während sie am Fenster starrte.

She digested the news while staring out the window.

Temporal 'während' clause.

1

Die ontologische Erschütterung war schwerlich zu verdauen.

The ontological shock was difficult to digest.

High-level vocabulary 'ontologisch'.

2

In seinem Spätwerk verdaute der Philosoph die Schrecken des Krieges.

In his late work, the philosopher digested the horrors of war.

Literary register.

3

Die kollektive Psyche verdaute das Trauma über Generationen.

The collective psyche digested the trauma over generations.

Historical/Psychological register.

4

Es ist eine intellektuelle Herausforderung, diese Paradoxien zu verdauen.

It is an intellectual challenge to digest these paradoxes.

Abstract noun 'Paradoxien'.

5

Sie verdaute die Implikationen seiner Worte mit stoischer Ruhe.

She digested the implications of his words with stoic calm.

Advanced noun 'Implikationen'.

6

Das System konnte den plötzlichen Überfluss nicht verdauen.

The system could not digest the sudden abundance.

Systems theory register.

7

Er verdaute die bittere Ironie seines Schicksals.

He digested the bitter irony of his fate.

Poetic/Dramatic register.

8

Man muss die Ästhetik des Hässlichen erst einmal verdauen.

One must first digest the aesthetics of the ugly.

Art criticism register.

Colocações comuns

Essen verdauen
Nachricht verdauen
Schock verdauen
Kritik verdauen
leicht verdaulich
schwer verdaulich
Informationen verdauen
Niederlage verdauen
Wahrheit verdauen
Erlebnis verdauen

Frases Comuns

Das muss ich erst mal verdauen.

— Used when someone hears surprising or shocking news. It means they need time to think.

A: 'Ich ziehe nach Australien.' B: 'Das muss ich erst mal verdauen!'

Schwer verdauliche Kost.

— Refers to a difficult book, film, or topic that requires a lot of mental effort.

Dieser Dokumentarfilm ist wirklich schwer verdauliche Kost.

Etwas gut verdauen.

— To handle something well, either physically or mentally.

Er hat die Umstellung gut verdaut.

Nicht zu verdauen sein.

— To be unacceptable or impossible to process.

Seine Arroganz ist einfach nicht zu verdauen.

Einen Schock verdauen.

— To recover from a sudden frightening or upsetting event.

Sie braucht Ruhe, um den Schock zu verdauen.

Die Nachricht hat er schnell verdaut.

— He got over the news quickly.

Trotz der Absage hat er die Nachricht schnell verdaut.

Lass es erst mal verdauen.

— Give it some time to sink in.

Lass die Idee erst mal verdauen, bevor du 'Nein' sagst.

Verdauungsspaziergang machen.

— To go for a walk specifically to aid digestion after a meal.

Nach dem Braten machen wir einen Verdauungsspaziergang.

Verdauungsschnaps trinken.

— To drink a small alcohol (schnapps) after a meal to help digestion.

Möchten Sie einen Verdauungsschnaps?

Probleme beim Verdauen.

— Having trouble processing food or, metaphorically, a situation.

Er hat Probleme beim Verdauen der neuen Fakten.

Frequentemente confundido com

verdauen vs verarbeiten

Verarbeiten is more active/constructive; verdauen is more internal/passive.

verdauen vs tauen

Tauen means to thaw (ice); verdauen is to digest food.

verdauen vs vertrauen

Vertrauen means to trust. One letter difference, completely different meaning!

Expressões idiomáticas

"Eine bittere Pille verdauen"

— To accept a difficult or unpleasant reality.

Er musste die bittere Pille der Kündigung verdauen.

Neutral
"Das liegt mir schwer im Magen"

— Something is bothering me (it's hard to digest).

Das Gespräch von gestern liegt mir noch schwer im Magen.

Informal
"Etwas schlucken müssen"

— To have to accept something unpleasant (the step before digesting).

Die Preiserhöhung mussten wir erst mal schlucken.

Informal
"Geistige Nahrung verdauen"

— To process intellectual material.

Er verdaute die geistige Nahrung des Seminars.

Literary
"Den Brocken verdauen"

— To process a 'big piece' of news or a major event.

Das war ein dicker Brocken, den wir verdauen mussten.

Informal
"An etwas zu beißen haben"

— To struggle with something (related to the difficulty of digesting).

An dieser Aufgabe hat er schwer zu beißen.

Colloquial
"Etwas nicht verknusen können"

— Northern German idiom: to not be able to stand or digest something.

Ich kann seinen neuen Freund nicht verknusen.

Regional/Slang
"Sich etwas einverleiben"

— To incorporate something into oneself (eating or learning).

Er hat sich das ganze Wissen einverleibt.

Neutral
"Auf dem Magen liegen"

— To weigh heavily on one's mind/stomach.

Die Sorgen liegen ihm auf dem Magen.

Informal
"Kritik schlucken"

— To take criticism (and then have to digest it).

Er musste viel Kritik schlucken.

Neutral

Fácil de confundir

verdauen vs verarbeiten

Both mean 'to process'.

Verarbeiten is for materials or long-term emotional work. Verdauen is for the initial internal breakdown.

Ich verarbeite Holz. Ich verdaue den Schock.

verdauen vs vertrauen

Similar spelling.

Vertrauen is 'to trust'. Verdauen is 'to digest'.

Ich vertraue dir. Ich verdaue das Brot.

verdauen vs verweilen

Starts with 'ver-' and ends with 'en'.

Verweilen means 'to linger/stay'.

Wir verweilen im Park. Wir verdauen das Essen.

verdauen vs verderben

Starts with 'ver-', related to food.

Verderben means 'to spoil/go bad'.

Das Fleisch ist verdorben. Ich verdaue das Fleisch.

verdauen vs verkraften

Both used for coping with things.

Verkraften is about having the strength to handle something. Verdauen is the process of assimilation.

Ich kann das nicht verkraften. Ich muss das erst verdauen.

Padrões de frases

A1

Ich + verdauen + (Essen).

Ich verdaue den Apfel.

A2

Ich + habe + (Essen) + verdaut.

Ich habe die Pizza verdaut.

B1

Ich + muss + (Nachricht) + erst + verdauen.

Ich muss den Schock erst verdauen.

B2

(Thema) + ist + schwer zu verdauen.

Die Kritik ist schwer zu verdauen.

C1

Nachdem + (Subjekt) + (Akk) + verdaut + hatte, ...

Nachdem er die Nachricht verdaut hatte, ging er.

C2

Die (Abstraktum) + gilt es zu verdauen.

Die Komplexität gilt es zu verdauen.

B1

Es + braucht + Zeit, + um + (etwas) + zu verdauen.

Es braucht Zeit, um die Trennung zu verdauen.

A2

Kannst du + (etwas) + verdauen?

Kannst du Milch verdauen?

Família de palavras

Substantivos

die Verdauung (digestion)
der Verdauungstrakt (digestive tract)
der Verdauungsspaziergang (digestive walk)
der Verdauungsschnaps (digestive schnapps)

Verbos

wiederverdauen (to re-digest)
vorverdauen (to pre-digest)

Adjetivos

verdaulich (digestible)
unverdaulich (indigestible)
leichtverdaulich (easy to digest)
schwerverdaulich (hard to digest)

Relacionado

der Magen (stomach)
der Darm (intestine)
die Nahrung (nourishment)
der Stoffwechsel (metabolism)
verarbeiten (to process)

Como usar

frequency

High (especially in the context of food and surprising news).

Erros comuns
  • Ich habe geverdaut. Ich habe verdaut.

    Inseparable prefixes like 'ver-' do not allow the 'ge-' prefix in the past participle.

  • Ich bin die Nachricht verdaut. Ich habe die Nachricht verdaut.

    Verdauen always uses 'haben' as its auxiliary verb, never 'sein'.

  • Das Essen ist verdauend. Das Essen wird verdaut.

    To say the food is being digested, use the passive voice, not the present participle.

  • Ich verdaue an der Nachricht. Ich verdaue die Nachricht.

    Verdauen is a transitive verb and takes a direct accusative object without a preposition.

  • Verdauen du den Apfel? Verdaust du den Apfel?

    The verb must be conjugated correctly for the second person singular 'du'.

Dicas

No 'ge-'!

Remember: ver- verbs never take 'ge-'. It's 'verdaut', not 'geverdaut'. This applies to all tenses.

Figurative Use

Use 'verdauen' when you hear something shocking. It makes you sound very natural and empathetic.

The 'V' sound

Always pronounce the 'V' like an 'F'. Think of 'Fast' or 'Fish'.

The Walk

If you're in Germany and eat a big meal, suggest a 'Verdauungsspaziergang'. It's a classic German move!

Verdauungsprobleme

If you go to a pharmacy, this is the word for digestive issues. Very useful for travelers.

Erst mal verdauen

Memorize the phrase 'Das muss ich erst mal verdauen'. You will use it often!

Adjective form

Use 'verdaulich' to describe things. 'Leicht verdaulich' is a great way to describe a simple text.

Stress

The stress is on the 'dau'. If you hear the stress elsewhere, it might be a different word.

Related words

Learn 'der Magen' (stomach) and 'die Nahrung' (food) together with 'verdauen'.

Empathy

Saying 'Lass dir Zeit zum Verdauen' is a kind way to help a friend who had bad news.

Memorize

Mnemônico

Think of 'VERy slow DAWN'. Digestion is a process that takes a long time, like the dawn slowly breaking, and you 'ver-' (process) it.

Associação visual

Imagine a stomach with a small library inside. It's not just digesting a pizza, but also books and newspapers.

Word Web

Magen Essen Nachrichten Zeit verarbeiten Bauch Gedanken akzeptieren

Desafio

Try to use 'verdauen' in a sentence today when you hear something surprising. Say: 'Das muss ich erst mal verdauen.'

Origem da palavra

From Middle High German 'verdöuwen' and Old High German 'firdouwen'. The prefix 'ver-' denotes a process or completion, and 'douwen' is related to the word 'thaw' (tauen).

Significado original: To make something melt or dissolve, referring to how food is dissolved in the stomach.

Germanic (Indo-European). Cognate with English 'thaw'.

Contexto cultural

While discussing digestion is normal in Germany, be mindful of the context; it's fine for family and friends, but maybe too graphic for a formal business lunch unless it's the metaphorical 'digesting the data'.

English speakers use 'digest' similarly (e.g., 'digest the news'), but 'verdauen' is used more frequently in everyday casual German than 'digest' is in casual English.

Goethe mentioned the 'digestion' of ideas in his letters. Friedrich Nietzsche used digestive metaphors for the processing of history. Modern German health podcasts frequently discuss 'Darmgesundheit' (gut health).

Pratique na vida real

Contextos reais

Health & Body

  • Ich habe Probleme mit der Verdauung.
  • Dieses Essen ist leicht verdaulich.
  • Mein Magen verdaut das nicht.
  • Wann ist das Essen verdaut?

Processing News

  • Das muss ich erst mal verdauen.
  • Hast du die Nachricht verdaut?
  • Das war schwer zu verdauen.
  • Lass dir Zeit zum Verdauen.

Business/Economics

  • Der Markt verdaut die Krise.
  • Wir müssen die Zahlen verdauen.
  • Die Firma verdaut den Verlust.
  • Die Fusion muss erst verdaut werden.

Sports

  • Die Niederlage war schwer zu verdauen.
  • Er hat den Sieg noch nicht verdaut.
  • Die Mannschaft muss das Spiel verdauen.
  • Nach dem Foul musste er sich erst mal sammeln (and digest).

Education

  • Der Stoff ist schwer zu verdauen.
  • Die Schüler müssen das Gelernte verdauen.
  • Das ist viel Information zum Verdauen.
  • Ist das Thema verdaulich?

Iniciadores de conversa

"Wie hat dein Magen das scharfe Essen gestern Abend verdaut?"

"Ich habe gerade die Nachrichten gelesen. Das muss ich erst mal verdauen. Was denkst du?"

"Findest du, dass moderne Kunst manchmal schwer zu verdauen ist?"

"Wie lange brauchst du normalerweise, um eine große Enttäuschung zu verdauen?"

"Glaubst du, ein Verdauungsspaziergang hilft wirklich nach einem großen Essen?"

Temas para diário

Schreibe über eine Nachricht, die du erst vor kurzem verdauen musstest. Warum war sie so überraschend?

Welches Buch war für dich 'schwer verdauliche Kost' und warum hast du es trotzdem gelesen?

Beschreibe deine Routine nach einem großen Essen. Machst du etwas Spezielles, um besser zu verdauen?

Denke an eine schwierige Kritik, die du erhalten hast. Wie lange hast du gebraucht, um sie zu verdauen?

Gibt es Dinge, die du in deiner Kindheit nicht verdauen konntest, die heute aber kein Problem mehr sind?

Perguntas frequentes

10 perguntas

No, it is very commonly used for mental and emotional processing of information or news.

The past participle is 'verdaut'. There is no 'ge-' because 'ver-' is an inseparable prefix.

No, you must say 'Ich habe verdaut'. The verb always takes 'haben' as an auxiliary.

It literally means 'heavy food', but figuratively it refers to a book or topic that is very difficult to understand.

It is neutral and can be used in almost any context, from clinical to casual.

You can use 'metabolisieren' or stick with 'verdauen', which is also used in science.

The noun is 'die Verdauung' (digestion).

Yes, it is used for any organism that digests food.

It is a walk taken after a meal to help the body digest the food.

Yes, 'verdauen' is usually the initial processing of a shock, while 'verarbeiten' is the deeper, long-term therapeutic work.

Teste-se 180 perguntas

writing

Write a sentence using 'verdauen' about food.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

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writing

Write a sentence using 'verdauen' about a shock.

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writing

Translate: 'I need time to digest the news.'

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writing

Explain 'Verdauungsspaziergang' in one sentence.

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writing

Use 'schwer verdaulich' in a sentence about a book.

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writing

Write the Perfekt form of 'Ich verdaue das'.

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writing

Write a sentence about an animal digesting something.

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writing

Use 'leicht verdaulich' in a sentence about soup.

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writing

Translate: 'Did you digest the criticism?'

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writing

Write a sentence using 'müssen' and 'verdauen'.

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writing

Describe the meaning of 'verdauen' for a child.

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writing

Use 'unverdaulich' in a sentence.

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writing

Write a sentence about a company digesting losses.

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writing

Translate: 'The brain digests the day during sleep.'

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writing

Write a sentence using 'während' and 'verdauen'.

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writing

Use 'bittere Pille' and 'verdauen' in one sentence.

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writing

Write a sentence using 'kaum' and 'verdauen'.

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writing

Translate: 'He digested the information faster than expected.'

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writing

Write a sentence about a 'Verdauungsschnaps'.

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Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Use 'erst einmal' and 'verdauen' in a sentence.

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Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Describe what you do after a heavy meal using 'verdauen'.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

How would you react to shocking news using the word 'verdauen'?

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Discuss a book or movie that was 'schwer verdaulich'.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Tell a friend why you can't eat a certain food using 'verdauen'.

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speaking

Explain the importance of sleep for 'geistiges Verdauen'.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Talk about a sports team digesting a loss.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Suggest a digestive walk to a group.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Explain what 'unverdaulich' means to a classmate.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Respond to a friend's criticism using 'verdauen'.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Describe a 'Verdauungsschnaps' tradition.

Read this aloud:

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listening

Listen and identify: 'Ich habe den Schock noch nicht verdaut.' What is the speaker talking about?

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listening

Listen and identify: 'Diese Suppe ist leicht verdaulich.' Is the soup heavy or light?

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listening

Listen and identify: 'Möchten Sie einen Verdauungsschnaps?' When is this asked?

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listening

Listen and identify: 'Das ist schwer verdauliche Kost.' Is the material easy or hard?

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listening

Listen and identify: 'Er verdaute die Nachricht schweigend.' How did he react?

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listening

Listen and identify: 'Die Verdauung dauert Stunden.' What process is being discussed?

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listening

Listen and identify: 'Hast du das alles verdaut?' What is the person asking?

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listening

Listen and identify: 'Lass es erst mal verdauen.' What is the advice?

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listening

Listen and identify: 'Mein Magen verdaut das nicht.' What is the problem?

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listening

Listen and identify: 'Die Märkte müssen das erst verdauen.' Who is 'digesting' here?

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/ 180 correct

Perfect score!

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