Translation guide
To eat something quickly, hungrily, or completely. Can also be used figuratively for consuming information or being consumed by emotions.
Describing eating food in a fast, greedy, or ravenous manner.
The most direct equivalent, meaning to eat greedily or devour. Often used for animals or people eating with intense hunger.
He devoured the hamburger.
To eat ravenously or wolf down food. Casual and vivid.
The kids devoured the snacks.
To eat up completely, polish off. Emphasizes finishing all the food.
He devoured a large bowl of ramen.
To eat up entirely, consume all of something. Often used for animals or swarms.
The locusts devoured the crops.
To read, watch, or absorb information with great enthusiasm and speed.
To read voraciously, devour books. Combines 'devour' with 'read'.
She devoured the novel.
To be absorbed in reading, read avidly. Implies losing track of time.
To read as if devouring. A more literary or emphatic expression.
He devoured books greedily.
To be overwhelmed or completely taken over by a strong feeling.
To consume or destroy something rapidly and entirely, like fire or a natural force.
While 'devour' can be used figuratively in English for emotions, direct translation with むさぼり食う may sound unnatural. Use passive forms or alternative verbs like 取り憑かれる for being consumed by feelings.
彼は週末ずっと漫画を読みふけっていた。
He spent the whole weekend devouring manga.
She was devoured by curiosity.
津波が町を飲み込んだ。
The tsunami devoured the town.