zu + verb, um … zu, damit, ohne … zu, lassen
zu + the dictionary form at the end of the clause (Es ist schwer, Deutsch zu lernen); um … zu means "in order to" (damit when the purpose has its own subject), ohne … zu "without", statt … zu "instead of"; lassen takes no zu.
Examples
- Es ist schwer, Deutsch zu lernen.It's hard to learn German.
- Ich lerne Deutsch, um in Berlin zu arbeiten.I'm learning German to work in Berlin.
How it works
After many verbs and adjectives, German adds a second verb with zu + the infinitive (the dictionary form), which goes to the end — like English "to" + verb.
ZU + VERB — after these and similar
Separable verbs
zu goes in the middle
UM … ZU — in order to (a purpose)
When the purpose has its own subject, um … zu can't hold it: use damit and a clause with the verb last.
WITHOUT, INSTEAD OF — ohne … zu, statt … zu Built like um … zu: ohne or statt first, zu + the infinitive last. English uses -ing here; German never does.
I take the bike instead of going by car.
anstatt is the same as statt.
Lassen
having something done lassen + a second verb means you get someone else to do it. Like a modal, the second verb goes to the end with no zu:
No zu
after modal verbs and a few others
Common mistakes
What you'll practise
1. zu + verb at the end
After keine Zeit / Lust, versuchen, vergessen, es ist schwer …: zu + the dictionary form at the end.
- Ich habe keine Lust, zu arbeiten.I don't feel like working.
2. um … zu (in order to)
um at the start of the clause, zu + the dictionary form at the end: um ein Auto zu kaufen.
- Sie spart Geld, um ein Auto zu kaufen.She's saving money to buy a car.
3. Separable verbs: aufzustehen
With a separable verb zu goes between the prefix and the verb: aufzustehen, anzurufen.
- Vergiss nicht, mich anzurufen.Don't forget to call me.
4. ohne … zu, statt … zu
ohne (without) or statt (instead of) first, zu + the dictionary form last, where English uses -ing: ohne etwas zu sagen.
- Statt zu lernen, sieht er fern.Instead of studying, he watches TV.
5. lassen + verb: having it done
lassen + a second verb at the end, with no zu: Ich lasse mein Auto reparieren. du / er lässt.
- Ich lasse mein Auto reparieren.I'm having my car repaired.
6. damit (so that): a purpose with its own subject
When the purpose has its own subject, use damit + a clause with the verb last, not um … zu: Ich spreche langsam, damit du mich verstehst.
- Ich spreche langsam, damit du mich verstehst.I speak slowly so that you understand me.
Practise it until it sticks
Short drills built on these 6 skills, with instant feedback on every answer. Free to start.