Essen vs. fressen
The German words essen and fressen both mean to eat, but they differ in usage depending on the subject doing the eating and the context.
Essen
A1Essen is the standard German verb for to eat and is used when referring to humans or in polite and formal contexts.
Ich esse gern Pizza.
(I like to eat pizza.)
Wir essen heute Abend um 19 Uhr.
(We are eating dinner tonight at 7 PM.)
Was möchtest du essen?
(What would you like to eat?)
Fressen
A2Fressen also means to eat, but it is typically used when referring to animals eating. It can also carry a disrespectful or rude tone if used to describe humans.
Die Kühe fressen Gras auf der Weide.
(The cows are eating grass in the pasture.)
Mein Hund frisst zweimal am Tag.
(My dog eats twice a day.)
Er frisst wie ein Schwein!
(He eats like a pig!)
Summary
While essen is used for humans and polite/formal contexts, fressen is generally reserved for animals and can be disrespectful if applied to humans. Always consider the subject and context when selecting the appropriate word.