gefressen

Gefressen is the past participle of the German verb fressen. Fressen means “to eat” in the sense of consuming food and is used especially for animals or in vivid, sometimes humorous, contexts. For human eating, German normally uses essen; the corresponding past participle is gegessen.

Grammar and usage: Gefressen is used with the auxiliary haben in perfect tenses. For example, Der Hund hat das Futter gefressen. In the simple past, the verb forms are fraß (ich fraß, du frisstest) and fraßen (wir fraßen, ihr frasst, sie fraßen). In the passive voice one can say Das Futter wird vom Hund gefressen.

Semantic notes: Gefressen emphasizes the act of devouring or consumption, often with a sense of vigor or animal-like eating. It contrasts with gegessen, which is neutral and appropriate for humans or general consumption. In most everyday human contexts, gegessen is preferred; gefressen is reserved for animal subjects or expressive usage.

Examples:

- Der Hund hat das Futter gefressen.

- Gestern fraß der Löwe die Beute. (Präteritum form)

- Das Futter wird vom Hund gefressen.

Etymology and related forms: Gefressen derives from fressen, which is related to other Germanic roots for eating or gnawing. The verb fressen has a distinct usage compared with essen and appears in idiomatic and literary expressions that highlight forceful or voracious eating.

See also: German verbs of eating, comparison of gegessen and gefressen, past participles in German.