How to say "consume" in Japanese

• 費やすついやすJLPT N1approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verbTo spend or expend time, money, energy or effort on something. This is the ordinary verb for consuming resources in that abstract sense, and it does not cover eating.
  多額たがくの金かねがその橋はしに費ついやされた。↗

  A large amount of money was spent on the bridge.
• 食い尽くすくいつくす
  godan verb, transitive verbTo eat up completely, leaving nothing behind. Applies to food literally, and figuratively to resources or supplies being devoured or used up entirely.
  あなたの家いえを思おもう熱心ねっしんが、わたしを食くい尽つくす。↗

  Zeal for your house will consume me.
• 食べ尽くすたべつくす
  godan verb, transitive verbTo eat up completely, finishing all of something. A neutral, everyday way to say every part of the food was eaten, with nothing left over.
• 焼き尽くすやきつくす
  godan verb, transitive verbTo burn something up completely, reducing it to nothing by fire. Used for flames destroying a thing or place entirely.
  その火ひは東風とうふうにあおられて市しの中心ちゅうしん部ぶを焼やき尽つくした。↗

  The fire, driven by an east wind, destroyed the center of the city.
• 舐め尽くすなめつくす
  godan verb, transitive verbTo engulf or sweep over completely, as flames licking across everything. A vivid, figurative way to describe fire consuming a whole area.

Use 「費やす」 for spending time, money or effort; the other entries cover fire or eating: 「焼き尽くす」 and 「食い尽くす」/「食べ尽くす」 for burning up or eating up completely, 「舐め尽くす」 for flames sweeping over something.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 費やすついやすto spend
• 食い尽くすくいつくすto eat up
• 食べ尽くすたべつくすto eat up
• 焼き尽くすやきつくすto burn completely
• 使うつかうto use (time, money, etc.)
• 舐め尽くすなめつくすto engulf (in flames)
• 食うくうto encroach on
• 閉ざすとざすto consume (with negative feelings)