Grammar · A2 · Infinitiv
zu + infinitive
After many verbs: Ich versuche zu verstehen. Separable: … anzurufen. Purpose: um … zu + Inf: Ich lerne, um zu bleiben.
Bridges
EN to + verb (try to… / in order to…)
PT infinitivo com zu
ES infinitivo con zu
FR infinitif avec zu
Forms: Core patterns
/ / +
try / begin / forget to…
/ / +
It is important / easy / hard to…
… +
in order to…
… +
without doing…
… +
instead of doing…
Forms: Separable verbs + zu
to call
prefix + zu + stem
to change (trains)
to open
Ich muss warten — not *zu warten*
Examples
.
I try to understand.
, .
I learn in order to stay here.
.
I try to call you.
anzurufen
, .
It's important to be on time.
, .
I go to work without getting up too early.
.
We plan to change trains.
.
Don't forget to pay.
Common mistakes
- *zu anrufen* → anzurufen (zu goes between prefix and stem).
- Adding zu after modals (*muss zu warten* — no zu).
- English *for to* — German purpose is um … zu, not *für zu*.
- Forgetting the comma before longer zu-clauses.
When you use it in Berlin
Goals and errands: Ich lerne Deutsch, um hier zu arbeiten. Ich versuche anzurufen. Vergiss nicht umzusteigen.
Quick check
1/2
zu + Inf:
___ .