Consommer vs. consumer
In French, both consommer and consumer can be translated as to consume. However, they have different meanings and uses in the language.
Consommer
A2The word consommer means to eat, drink, or use something until it's all gone. It is often used in the contexts of food, beverages, and resources.
Elle aime consommer des fruits frais chaque matin.
(She likes to consume fresh fruits every morning.)
Ils ont consommé toute l'essence pendant le long voyage.
(They consumed all the gasoline during the long trip.)
Consumer
B2The word consumer means to destroy, wear out, or waste something completely. It is often used in more figurative or dramatic contexts.
Le feu a complètement consumé la vieille maison en bois.
(The fire completely consumed the old wooden house.)
Le chagrin peut vous consumer si vous n'y faites pas attention.
(Grief can consume you if you're not careful.)
Summary
Consommer and consumer both translate to to consume, but serve different contexts. Consommer pertains mainly to consuming food, drink, and resources. On the other hand, consumer signifies a more absolute destruction or wearing out of something.