Infinitive in German
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Lesson outline
HideWhat is the infinitive in German?
There is no expression of numerus (grammatical number) and person in the infinitive form of a verb. In this lesson you will learn about the infinitive with or without "zu" and how you use them. The infinitive verb is placed at the end.
For example: Es dauert lange, durch die Innenstadt zu gehen.
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Infinitive verbs with zu
A lot of verbs need an infinitive form with zu.
| explanation | verb | example with "zu" | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| effort/ plan | sich bemühen, planen, versuchen | Ich versuche, still zu halten. | I try to hold still |
| verbs that express opinions | denken, erwarten, vermuten | Ich vermute, den Einbrecher gesehen zu haben. | I suspect to have seen the burglar |
| verbs that express agreements | abmachen, beschließen, vereinbaren | Ich beschließe, meine Wohnung zu verlassen. | I decide to leave my apartment |
| verbs that express a start | beginnen, anfangen | Ich beginne mich wohl zu fühlen. | I start to feel well |
| verbs that express a decision | sich verpflichten, sich weigern | Ich weigere mich, meinen Platz zu verlassen. | I refuse to leave my spot |
The construction of the infinitive verbs with "zu"
There are to forms of using zu (zu or um ...zu).
1.The infinitive verb is widened with zu. Both are placed at the end of a sentence.
Ich kann bald lesen und schreiben. -> Ich hoffe, bald lesen und schreiben zu können.
Willst du die Kirche besichtigen? -> Hast du Lust, die Kirche zu besichtigen?
2. The construction with um ... zu differs. It is equivalent to the English construction "(in order) to" plus the infinitive of the verb. Um is at the beginning of the infinitive-sentence.
Esse einen Apfel, um gesund zu bleiben!
Um dick zu werden, muss man viel essen.
Pay attention, if you are using separable verbs."Zu" is placed between both parts of the verb.
| verb | infinitive | example | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| abfahren | abzufahren | Um abzufahren, müssen die Türen geschlossen sein. | To drive off, the doors must be closed |
| abreisen | abzureisen | Um abzureisen, müssen die Koffer gepackt sein. | To travel, the bags must be packed. |
Infinitive without zu
We use only the infinitive form, if the following verb is used...
| explanation of the verb | verb | example without zu | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| modal verbs | können, dürfen, sollen | Du sollst dein Zimmer aufräumen. | You are supposed to clean up your room |
| perception | sehen, hören, spüren | Ich höre Sophia schreien. | I hear Sophia scream |
| motion | gehen, kommen, fahren | Er fährt sie besuchen. | He drives to visit her |
| lassen | Er lässt sie fahren. | He lets her drive | |
| bleiben | Er bleibt vor ihr stehen. | He stays in front of her | |
| finden, haben | Sie hat ihre Flasche auf dem Boden stehen. | She has her bottle standing on the floor |
Now, that you have learned about the usage of infinitive verbs move on to our exercises to improve your knowledge.
Exercises
- Exercise of infinitive (separable / not separable)
- Exercise of infinitive verbs
- Exercise of the infinitive verbs
Exercise of infinitive (separable / not separable)
Exercise of infinitive verbs
Fill in the blanks with the right infinitive form (either with "zu" or without "zu"). The related verbs are shown in the brackets. If you think that the form with 'zu' is correct, put it in the first free space and the verb into the second one.
Example: Ich hoffe, die Prüfung zu schaffen. (I hope to pass the exam.)
Sie hat ihre Flasche auf dem Boden . (stehen / to stand)
Ich vermute, die Schwester gesehen . (haben / to have)
Ich beginne mich schlecht . (fühlen / to feel)
Er lässt sie den LKW . (fahren / to drive)
Sie fährt ihn in Stuttgart . (besuchen / to visit)
Ich weigere mich, deinen Vorschlag . (annehmen / to accept)
Er hat sein Handy auf dem Tisch . (liegen / to lie)
Es ist zu früh sich . (anziehen / to get dressed)
Wie blöd von mir, es nicht . (mitbringen / to bring)
Exercise of the infinitive verbs
Solution
Man muss viel Sport machen,
um gesund zu bleiben.
Wir gehen zu einem Aussichtspunkt,
um über die Gegend zu sehen.
Es dauert lange,
durch die Stadt zu fahren.
Haben Sie Lust,
einen Kaffee trinken zu gehen?
Hat Sie Lust,
nachher an den Strand zu fahren.
Ich habe vergessen,
die Milch mitzubringen.
Ich habe Lust,
ins Kino gehen zu.
Ich lerne Deutsch,
um in Deutschland zu studieren.
Exercises
- Exercise of infinitive (separable / not separable)
- Exercise of infinitive verbs
- Exercise of the infinitive verbs
Exercise of infinitive (separable / not separable)
Exercise of infinitive verbs
Fill in the blanks with the right infinitive form (either with "zu" or without "zu"). The related verbs are shown in the brackets. If you think that the form with 'zu' is correct, put it in the first free space and the verb into the second one.
Example: Ich hoffe, die Prüfung zu schaffen. (I hope to pass the exam.)
Sie hat ihre Flasche auf dem Boden . (stehen / to stand)
Ich vermute, die Schwester gesehen . (haben / to have)
Ich beginne mich schlecht . (fühlen / to feel)
Er lässt sie den LKW . (fahren / to drive)
Sie fährt ihn in Stuttgart . (besuchen / to visit)
Ich weigere mich, deinen Vorschlag . (annehmen / to accept)
Er hat sein Handy auf dem Tisch . (liegen / to lie)
Es ist zu früh sich . (anziehen / to get dressed)
Wie blöd von mir, es nicht . (mitbringen / to bring)
Exercise of the infinitive verbs
Solution
Man muss viel Sport machen,
um gesund zu bleiben.
Wir gehen zu einem Aussichtspunkt,
um über die Gegend zu sehen.
Es dauert lange,
durch die Stadt zu fahren.
Haben Sie Lust,
einen Kaffee trinken zu gehen?
Hat Sie Lust,
nachher an den Strand zu fahren.
Ich habe vergessen,
die Milch mitzubringen.
Ich habe Lust,
ins Kino gehen zu.
Ich lerne Deutsch,
um in Deutschland zu studieren.
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Hello everyone and a big warm welcome to all the fellow language learners,
My name is Katerina, I’m a native Russian speaker and a foreign language teacher from St Petersburg, Russia. I’ve always been addicted to learning foreign languages, be it English, German, Spanish, Turkish or Arabic, so turning my passion into my job was just a matter of time. I have a Master’s degree in linguistics which taught me to understand the way the mechanism of a language works and thus to help my students see the logics behind the grammar rules. Being a constant language learner enables me to see the process from both sides and to predict the difficulties my students might face. The fact that I’m not a native speaker of English or German means I’ve been through exactly the same language-learning journey you’re about to take, and thanks to my personal experience as a student, I can make this road smooth for you.
I've had students of all ages, from pre-school kids to senior generation, and I feel comfortable working with both beginners and those who are eager to take their learning process to a new level. In my classes I encourage you to talk in the language we’re studying as much as possible, putting every single bit of knowledge into practice right away. If you’re a Russian-learner, I’d be glad to prove it to you that you can absolutely nail my mother-tongue - and yes, you’ll be able to make a small talk in Russian by the end of the first class even if you’re an absolute beginner! We’ll be focusing on the topics that are most relevant to your goals, while discovering the language and getting to know more about the culture of people who speak it.
I offer a short free trial class, for us to give each other a smile and discuss our teaching pattern, in order to ajust it to your goals and make our lessons the bee's knees :) See you soon!
M. G.
Katja is a great teacher! She really pushes her students to speak in as much German as they can and the materials she provides are perfectly suited for her students learning goals! I enjoy working with her very much and look forward to our weekly lessons! She has helped me learn many German phrases and vocabulary that I can use immediately.
Ekaterina V.
Hello, my name is Katerina und I’m a qualified German teacher with 8 years teaching experience.
I would like to help you to master the German language. You will get your personal online lesson via Skype.
If you are interested in learning this world language, just contact me –
I’m looking forward to getting to know you!
N. .
I have hardly had oportunities to speak German, so the lesson was a little tough, but I had fun. The way, that she tries to understand what I mean each time and make me understood is wonderful.
Dear Natsuki, thank you for your review. Kind regards, Katerina