Translation guide
The act of using up resources, eating/drinking, or the amount used. Japanese distinguishes between general consumption, eating/drinking, and resource usage.
The act of using goods, resources, energy, or services, often in an economic or environmental context.
The most common and general term for consumption of goods, resources, energy, etc. Used in economic, environmental, and everyday contexts.
エネルギー消費を減らす必要がある。
We need to reduce energy consumption.
消費者の権利を守る。
Protect consumer rights.
Emphasizes using something up until it is gone, often implying depletion or wear and tear. Used for physical resources, energy, or stamina.
資源の消耗が激しい。
The consumption of resources is intense.
体力を消耗した。
I exhausted my physical strength.
Refers to the amount consumed, such as electricity, water, or gas usage. Often used on utility bills.
今月の電気の使用量が多い。
This month's electricity consumption is high.
The act of consuming food or beverages.
Formal term for intake of food, nutrients, or medicine. Common in health, medical, and nutritional contexts.
カロリーの摂取を控える。
Limit calorie consumption.
十分な水分を摂取してください。
Please consume enough fluids.
General term for eating and drinking. Often used in rules or signs (e.g., no eating or drinking).
A plain, explanatory phrase meaning 'the act of eating and drinking'. Used when a simpler term is needed.
食べたり飲んだりすることは禁止されています。
Consumption of food and drink is prohibited.
Historical term for tuberculosis, a wasting disease.
Medical term for pulmonary tuberculosis. 'Consumption' in this sense is archaic; use this for modern contexts.
彼は肺結核で亡くなった。
He died of consumption.
Archaic Japanese term for tuberculosis, similar to 'consumption' in historical literature.
労咳を患う。
Suffer from consumption.
消費 is neutral consumption (using goods/energy). 消耗 implies depletion or wearing out. Use 消耗 for exhausting physical resources or when emphasizing the loss.
ガソリンを消費する。
Consume gasoline (neutral).
ガソリンが消耗した。
The gasoline was used up (depleted).
In everyday conversation, Japanese people rarely say 'consumption' for eating. Use 食べる (eat) or 飲む (drink) directly. 摂取 is formal and used in medical/health contexts.
館内での飲食はご遠慮ください。
Please refrain from consumption of food and drink inside the building.