Verbs: Infinitives with 'zu'

01

When to Use 'zu'

The zu construction is used when a second verb is added to a sentence to complete the meaning of the first verb, an adjective, or a noun.

1. After certain verbs

Many verbs describing plans, thoughts, opinions, or beginnings trigger this structure. Common examples include versuchen (to try), planen (to plan), vergessen (to forget), and anfangen (to start).

• Ich versuche, das Buch zu lesen.

  I try to read the book.

• Er vergisst, mich anzurufen.

  He forgets to call me.

• Wir fangen an, Deutsch zu lernen.

  We are starting to learn German.

2. After adjectives

Constructions involving es ist (it is) followed by an adjective almost always require zu.

• Es ist wichtig, viel Wasser zu trinken.

  It is important to drink a lot of water.

• Ist es schwierig, diesen Text zu verstehen?

  Is it difficult to understand this text?

3. After nouns

Expressions involving nouns like Zeit (time), Lust (desire/mood), or Angst (fear) use this structure to explain what the noun refers to.

• Ich habe keine Zeit, ins Kino zu gehen.

  I have no time to go to the cinema.

• Hast du Lust, Pizza zu essen?

  Do you feel like eating pizza?

02

Word Order and Structure

Unlike English, where "to" stays next to the main verb, German pushes the infinitive group to the very end of the sentence.

• The word zu is placed immediately before the infinitive verb.
• The entire phrase (the infinitive plus any objects or adverbs associated with it) moves to the end.
• In written German, a comma is often used to separate the main clause from the infinitive clause, especially if the infinitive clause contains more than just the verb.

• Ich habe vor, morgen nach Berlin zu fahren.

  I plan to drive to Berlin tomorrow.

• Es ist schön, dich wieder zu sehen.

  It is nice to see you again.

03

Separable Verbs

If the verb at the end of the sentence is a separable verb (a verb with a prefix like auf-, an-, or ein-), the zu does not stand in front of the word. Instead, it is inserted between the prefix and the verb stem, creating a single word.

• aufstehen (to stand up) → aufzustehen
• zumachen (to close) → zuzumachen
• fernsehen (to watch TV) → fernzusehen

• Es ist schwer, früh aufzustehen.

  It is hard to get up early.

• Vergiss nicht, die Tür zuzumachen.

  Do not forget to close the door.

04

Expressing Purpose: 'um... zu'

To express "in order to," German uses the combination um ... zu. The word um starts the clause, and zu + infinitive ends it. This is used specifically to answer the question "Why?" or "For what purpose?".

• Ich lerne Deutsch, um in Deutschland zu arbeiten.

  I am learning German (in order) to work in Germany.

• Er spart Geld, um ein Haus zu kaufen.

  He is saving money (in order) to buy a house.

05

When NOT to Use 'zu'

There are specific categories of verbs that take a second verb in the infinitive without using zu. This is similar to English "I can go" (not "I can to go").

1. Modal Verbs

Verbs like können (can), müssen (must), sollen (should), wollen (want), dürfen (may/allowed to), and mögen (like) never take zu.

• Ich kann gut schwimmen.

  I can swim well.

• Wir müssen jetzt gehen.

  We must go now.

2. Verbs of Perception (Senses)

Verbs describing senses, such as sehen (to see), hören (to hear), and fühlen (to feel), connect directly to the second verb.

• Ich sehe die Kinder spielen.

  I see the children playing.

• Wir hören den Vogel singen.

  We hear the bird singing.

3. Verbs of Movement

When verbs like gehen (to go), fahren (to drive), or kommen (to come) are combined with a second action, zu is omitted.

• Wir gehen heute einkaufen.

  We are going shopping today.

• Kommst du essen?

  Are you coming to eat?

4. Lassen and Bleiben

The verb lassen (to let/allow/have done) and bleiben (to stay/remain) generally do not use zu.

• Lass mich das machen!

  Let me do that!

• Das Auto bleibt stehen.

  The car remains standing (stops).