What Is an Infinitive Verb in German?
An infinitive verb in German is the basic, unconjugated form of a verb, usually ending in -en (like gehen – to go, machen – to do, lernen – to learn). In many German sentences, especially those involving certain grammatical structures, the infinitive appears together with zu – the equivalent of the English “to” (as in “to eat,” “to sleep,” etc.).
When Do You Use zu Before an Infinitive?
There are specific contexts in German where zu is placed before an infinitive. Here are the most common situations:
1. After Certain Verbs
Many verbs require zu before the following infinitive. Some of the most common verbs include:
- beginnen (to begin)
- aufhören (to stop)
- versuchen (to try)
- vergessen (to forget)
- hoffen (to hope)
- planen (to plan)
Example: Ich habe vergessen, das Fenster zu schließen. (I forgot to close the window.)
2. After Certain Adjectives
When using adjectives to describe how someone feels about an action, zu + infinitive is often required:
- Es ist schwer, Deutsch zu lernen. (It is hard to learn German.)
- Es ist wichtig, jeden Tag zu üben. (It is important to practice every day.)
3. After Certain Nouns
Nouns that express a desire, necessity, or possibility also often require zu + infinitive:
- Ich habe keine Zeit, ins Kino zu gehen. (I have no time to go to the cinema.)
- Ich habe die Möglichkeit, in Deutschland zu studieren. (I have the possibility to study in Germany.)
4. In Order To: um … zu Constructions
When you want to express purpose (in order to), use um … zu + infinitive:
- Ich lerne Deutsch, um in Deutschland zu arbeiten. (I am learning German in order to work in Germany.)
5. After Certain Prepositions
Some prepositions require the use of zu + infinitive, especially anstatt (instead of), ohne (without), and statt (instead of):
- Statt zu schlafen, hat er ferngesehen. (Instead of sleeping, he watched TV.)
- Ohne zu fragen, hat sie das Buch genommen. (Without asking, she took the book.)
When Is zu NOT Used Before an Infinitive?
There are important exceptions when zu is not used:
1. With Modal Verbs
After modal verbs (müssen, können, wollen, dürfen, sollen, mögen), the infinitive stands alone, without zu:
- Ich muss lernen. (I have to study.)
- Sie kann schwimmen. (She can swim.)
2. With Verbs of Perception and Letting
After verbs like sehen (to see), hören (to hear), fühlen (to feel), lassen (to let/make), you also skip zu:
- Ich habe ihn singen hören. (I heard him sing.)
- Sie lässt die Kinder spielen. (She lets the children play.)
3. With Certain Verbs: bleiben, gehen, lernen, helfen
After these verbs, zu is usually not used:
- Er bleibt stehen. (He remains standing.)
- Sie geht einkaufen. (She goes shopping.)
How to Use zu with Separable Verbs
Separable verbs, such as aufstehen (to get up), can seem tricky. When using zu, it is placed between the prefix and the verb stem:
- Ich habe vergessen, aufzustehen. (I forgot to get up.)
Practical Tips for Mastering zu + Infinitive
- Practice with sentences using common verbs that require zu + infinitive.
- Read German texts and notice how infinitive clauses are constructed.
- Use language learning tools like Talkpal to get instant feedback and examples in context.
- Make a list of verbs and expressions that require (or don’t require) zu before the infinitive.
Conclusion
Mastering the use of zu before an infinitive verb is a key step in achieving fluency in German. While the rules may seem overwhelming at first, regular practice and exposure will help you internalize them. Keep using resources like Talkpal to practice and get real-time feedback as you progress on your German learning journey. Viel Erfolg beim Deutschlernen!
