German Infinitiv mit “zu”: Master Complex Intentions and Sentence Expansion
B2 Mastery: Infinitiv mit “zu” (The “To” Construction)
As you move into higher levels of German, you will notice that sentences become longer and more layered. One of the most common ways to connect two thoughts is by using Infinitiv mit “zu”. This structure is similar to the English “I am happy to see you” or “It is difficult to learn German.”
For an expat in a professional setting, this structure is used to express goals, opinions, and rules. It allows you to sound less like you are listing facts and more like you are expressing a logical flow of thought.
1. The Basic Rule and Structure
When you have a sentence with two verbs, and the second verb is not a modal verb (like können, müssen), the second verb moves to the end in its infinitive form and is preceded by zu.
Example: “Ich versuche, Deutsch zu lernen.” (I am trying to learn German).
2. When to Use “zu”?
There are three main categories of expressions that trigger the use of zu:
| Category | Common Phrases | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Adjectives + It is… | Es ist wichtig / toll / schwer… | Es ist wichtig, pünktlich zu sein. |
| Nouns + Have… | Lust haben / Zeit haben / Angst haben… | Ich habe keine Zeit, zu essen. |
| Specific Verbs | Versuchen / Planen / Vergessen / Aufhören… | Vergiss nicht, mich anzurufen! |
3. Special Case: Separable Verbs
If the verb is separable (like anrufen, ausfüllen, mitkommen), the zu is placed between the prefix and the verb stem as one word.
- Anrufen -> anzurufen
- Aufhören -> aufzuhören
- Example: “Ich plane, dich morgen anzurufen.”
4. Important Exception: No “zu” for Modal Verbs!
Never use zu with modal verbs (können, müssen, wollen, dürfen, sollen). This is a common B2 error.
❌ Incorrect: Ich kann zu schwimmen.
✅ Correct: Ich kann schwimmen.
5. Practical Scenarios for the Professional Expat
A. In a Job Interview:
“Ich habe das Ziel, mich beruflich weiterzuentwickeln.” (I have the goal to develop myself professionally).
B. At the Office:
“Es ist notwendig, das Protokoll bis morgen zu schicken.” (It is necessary to send the minutes by tomorrow).
C. Personal Organization:
“Ich habe heute keine Lust, Überstunden zu machen.” (I have no desire to work overtime today).
6. Practice Exercises
A. Combine the sentences using Infinitiv mit “zu”:
- Ich plane etwas. Ich kaufe ein neues Auto. -> Ich plane, …
- Es ist verboten. Man raucht hier. -> Es ist verboten, …
- Ich habe die Absicht (intention). Ich lerne Japanisch. -> Ich habe die Absicht, …
B. Translate to German (Watch out for separable verbs!):
- I forgot to bring the keys. (mitbringen).
- It is difficult to understand him.
- She is afraid to lose her job.
Lesson Summary Checklist
[ ] I know that “zu” is used to connect a main clause to an infinitive clause.
[ ] I remember to place a comma before the “zu” clause.
[ ] I can correctly place “zu” inside separable verbs (e.g., einzukaufen).
[ ] I remember that Modal Verbs never take “zu”.
What’s Next? Lesson 25
Well done! Your sentences are becoming more sophisticated. In Lesson 25: Nomen-Verb-Verbindungen, we will explore “set phrases” where a noun and a verb combine to form a new meaning (like “to take a decision” instead of just “to decide”). This is the ultimate tool for high-level business German!