In German, “um … zu” is a subordinating conjunction that is used to express purpose or intention. It is similar to the English construction “in order to” or “so that.” The phrase “um … zu” is followed by two clauses: the main clause and the subordinate clause.
The structure is as follows:
um + [infinitive verb phrase] + zuHere’s a breakdown of how it works:
- “um”: This is a preposition that means “in order to” or “for the purpose of.”
- Infinitive Verb Phrase: This is the action you want to accomplish, and it is expressed in its infinitive form. It’s the part that comes after “um.”
- “zu”: This is a subordinating conjunction that connects the purpose clause to the main clause.
Here are a couple of examples to illustrate the usage:
- Example:
Ich gehe in die Stadt, um einzukaufen. (I am going to the city in order to shop.)- “Ich gehe in die Stadt” is the main clause (I am going to the city).
- “um einzukaufen” is the subordinate clause expressing the purpose (in order to shop).
- Example:
Sie lernt Deutsch, um in Deutschland zu arbeiten. (She is learning German in order to work in Germany.)- “Sie lernt Deutsch” is the main clause (She is learning German).
- “um in Deutschland zu arbeiten” is the subordinate clause expressing the purpose (in order to work in Germany).
In both examples, “um … zu” helps convey the intention or purpose behind the main action.
15 examples using “um … zu” in German:
- Ich trinke Wasser, um gesund zu bleiben.
- I drink water to stay healthy.
- Er studiert hart, um gute Noten zu bekommen.
- He studies hard to get good grades.
- Wir fahren früh los, um den Verkehr zu vermeiden.
- We leave early to avoid traffic.
- Sie übt Klavier, um bei der Aufführung gut zu spielen.
- She practices piano to play well at the performance.
- Um pünktlich zu sein, wecke ich mich früh auf.
- In order to be on time, I wake up early.
- Er arbeitet hart, um seinen Traum zu verwirklichen.
- He works hard to fulfill his dream.
- Sie spart Geld, um sich ein neues Auto zu kaufen.
- She is saving money to buy a new car.
- Um fit zu bleiben, geht sie regelmäßig joggen.
- To stay fit, she goes jogging regularly.
- Wir kaufen Lebensmittel ein, um zu kochen.
- We buy groceries to cook.
- Um Deutsch zu lernen, besucht er einen Sprachkurs.
- In order to learn German, he attends a language course.
- Sie liest Bücher, um ihr Wissen zu erweitern.
- She reads books to expand her knowledge.
- Um die Natur zu genießen, machen wir eine Wanderung.
- To enjoy nature, we go for a hike.
- Ich trage einen Regenschirm, um im Regen trocken zu bleiben.
- I carry an umbrella to stay dry in the rain.
- Um besser zu verstehen, frage ich nach Erklärungen.
- In order to understand better, I ask for explanations.
- Er nimmt Medikamente, um seine Gesundheit zu verbessern.
- He takes medication to improve his health.
