verb
to consume, to use up
B1
Means to consume or to use up (etwas verbrauchen). Non-reflexive, transitive verb taking a direct object. Uses auxiliary 'haben' (Perfekt: hat verbraucht). Regular weak verb with participle 'verbraucht'. Common in contexts of resources, energy or materials (e.g., Energie verbrauchen), or fuel.
Examples
Ich habe das ganze Brot verbraucht.
I used up all the bread.
Das Team verbrauchte weniger Energie, weil die neue Software die Ressourcen besser verwaltete.
The team consumed less energy because the new software managed the resources better.
Wir verbrauchen zu viel Plastik pro Jahr.
We consume too much plastic each year.
Details
Mnemonics
Picture a fuel gauge going to empty while a big verb 'verbrauchen' eats the fuel.
Sounds like 'verb row: chow' — imagine verbs eating stuff, consuming it.
Notes
verbrauchen is inseparable (prefix 'ver-' is inseparable), takes 'haben' in perfect tenses, and is used for resources (energy, time, materials) as well as consumables.