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'Zu' Definition

What is the meaning of the German word 'Zu'?

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The word 'Zu' is a German word that can mean 'To' in English. You can find example sentences below to help you understand how to use the word in context.

Definition of 'Zu' in English

Zu - To

preposition

The preposition 'zu' is commonly used in German to indicate the infinitive form of a verb, showing purpose, destination, or result. It is often translated as 'to' in English.

Example Sentences:

  • Niklas beschließt, dem Wald zu helfen, und beginnt sein Abenteuer. - Niklas decides to help the forest and begins his adventure.

Related Words

Wald Zu Helfen Essen

German Challenges

Intermediate

Which preposition correctly pairs with the verb 'achten' to mean 'to pay attention to'?

Wir achten auf die Details

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The correct preposition to use with 'achten' to convey the meaning of 'to pay attention to' is 'auf', forming the phrase 'achten auf'. The sentence 'Wir achten auf die Details' translates to 'We pay attention to the details.' The other prepositions cannot be used to express the concept of paying attention to something. Fun Fact: 'Achten auf' requires the accusative case.
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Beginner

Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the indefinite article "a/an" in the dative case for a neuter noun.

Ich gebe einem Kind ein Spielzeug.

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The sentence indicates the indirect object in the dative case. We are giving a toy to a child. The correct form of the indefinite article for neuter nouns in the dative case is "einem." Therefore, the sentence should be "Ich gebe einem Kind ein Spielzeug," which means "I give a toy to a child" in English.
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Beginner

Which form of the verb 'fühlen' correctly completes the sentence?

Ich gehe heute nicht zur Arbeit, weil ich mich nicht gut fühle.

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'Fühle' is the correct first-person singular form of the verb 'fühlen', which translates to 'feel' in English. In the context of this sentence, 'fühle' is used to express how the speaker is feeling physically. The other options are other forms of 'fühlen', but they are not correct in this context. 'Fühlt' is third-person singular, 'gefühlt' is the past participle used for perfect tense, and 'fühlte' is simple past tense.
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Beginner

Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the personal pronoun 'du' in the dative case.

Ich habe dir bereits die Einladung gegeben

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The dative case form of the personal pronoun 'du' (you) is 'dir'. In the sentence, 'dir' is used as the indirect object, receiving the action of the verb. Here, the verb 'gegeben' ("given" - to give) requires an indirect object to indicate to whom the book is given. 'Du' changes to 'dir' in the dative case to reflect its role as the recipient of the action in the sentence.
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Intermediate

Which auxiliary verb correctly completes the sentence to fit the context given?

Ich habe einen Kuchen gebacken.

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'Backen' is a transitive action verb, hence it requires 'haben' to form the perfect past tense. So, the correct sentence is 'Ich habe einen Kuchen gebacken', which means 'I baked a cake'. 'Sein' is typically used with intransitive verbs which involve a change in state or movement, which is not the case with 'backen'. Understanding the differential usage of 'haben' and 'sein' is crucial to forming accurate sentences in German.
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Beginner

Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the personal pronoun 'wir' in the dative case.

Der Lehrer hat uns die Hausaufgaben aufgegeben

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The dative case form of the personal pronoun 'wir' (we) is 'uns'. In the sentence "Der Lehrer hat uns die Hausaufgaben aufgegeben," 'uns' is used as the indirect object, receiving the action of the verb. Here, the verb 'aufgeben' (to assign) requires an indirect object to indicate to whom the homework is assigned. 'Wir' changes to 'uns' in the dative case to reflect its role as the recipient of the action in the sentence.
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Intermediate

Which preposition correctly pairs with the verb 'fahren' to mean 'to drive to'?

Er fährt zu seiner Arbeit

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The correct preposition to use with 'fahren' to convey the meaning of 'to drive to' is 'zu', forming the phrase 'fahren zu'. The sentence 'Er fährt zu seiner Arbeit' translates to 'He is driving to his work.' The other prepositions are not used to express the concept of driving to a place. Fun Fact: 'Fahren zu' requires the dative case, as it typically involves a direction or destination – the place being driven to.
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Advanced

Which word best completes the sentence to mean 'supplies'?

Es ist wichtig, genügend Vorräte für den langen Winter zu haben.

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In this context, 'Vorräte' is the plural form of the noun 'Vorrat', which means 'supplies' or 'provisions' in English. This noun is commonly used to refer to food, drink, or other necessary items for survival or specific purposes, and it often implies a state of preparedness or readiness for a future event or period of time. The other options are either singular ('Vorrat') or decline incorrectly in the plural ('Vorräten', 'Vorrätes') according to the rules of German grammar.
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Beginner

Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the definite article "the" in the accusative case for a Neuter noun.

Ich sehe das Auto.

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In the given sentence, "Ich sehe das Auto," the word "Auto" is a neuter noun. In German, "Auto" is "das Auto" in the nominative case. Since neuter nouns do not change their article in the accusative case, "das" remains "das" even when it is the direct object of the verb "sehen" (to see). Therefore, the correct sentence is "Ich sehe das Auto," which translates to "I see the car" in English. Remembering that neuter and feminine articles do not change in the accusative case can be very helpful. It means that every time you see "das" or "die" as an article for a single noun, it will remain the same in the accusative case. Keep practicing to get the hang of these changes in the different cases!
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Beginner

What is the correct form of the definite article "the" in the genitive case for a Feminine noun?

Die Idee der Frau ist sehr gut.

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The phrase indicates possession, using the genitive case. The correct definite article for feminine nouns in the genitive case is "der." Hence, the sentence should be "Die Idee der Frau ist gut," which means "The woman's idea is very good" in English.
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German Topics

Prepositional Verbs Accusative Prepositions Modal Verbs Cases Summary Accusative Case Dative Case Genitive Case Auxiliary Verbs Personal Pronouns Cases Dative Prepositions Coordinating Conjunctions Subordinating Conjunctions

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