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.
We need to reduce energy consumption.
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.
The consumption of resources is intense.
I exhausted my physical strength.
Refers to the amount consumed, such as electricity, water, or gas usage. Often used on utility bills.
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.
Limit calorie consumption.
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.
Historical term for tuberculosis, a wasting disease.
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.
Consume gasoline (neutral).
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.
Consumption of food and drink is prohibited.
Suffer from consumption.