'Zu' Definition

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

Home > German Language > What is the meaning of Zu?

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.

German Challenges

Beginner

What is the correct form of the definite article "the" in the dative case for a Feminine noun.

Ich helfe der Frau

Reset answer
You answered correctly!
In German, the dative case form of the feminine article "die" is "der." For example, in the sentence "Ich helfe der Frau," which translates to "I help the woman" in English, the word "Frau" (woman) is in the dative case as the indirect object of the verb "helfen" (to help), so the article changes from "die" to "der."
Explore these topics to learn more!
View Full Challenge
Beginner

What is the correct form of the definite article "the" in the genitive case for the feminine noun "Mutter" (mother)?

Das Auto der freundlichen Dame ist blau.

Reset answer
You answered correctly!
The correct form of the definite article for feminine nouns in the genitive case is "der". The sentence is indicating possession and thus, it needs to use the genitive case. The complete sentence is: "Das Auto der freundlichen Dame ist blau", which translates to "The friendly lady's car is blue"
Explore these topics to learn more!
View Full Challenge
Beginner

Conjugate the modal verb "dürfen" to fit the sentence below.

Ihr dürft nicht rauchen.

Reset answer
You answered correctly!
The correct form for 'dürfen' in the third person plural for a negative statement is 'dürfen'. The full translation is "You (plural) may not smoke".
Explore these topics to learn more!
View Full Challenge
Intermediate

What is the correct form of the indefinite article "a" in the genitive case for the feminine noun "Stadt" (city)?

Die Schönheit einer Stadt ist atemberaubend

Reset answer
You answered correctly!
The correct indefinite article for feminine nouns in the genitive case is "einer." Thus, the sentence should be "Die Schönheit einer Stadt ist atemberaubend," which translates to "The beauty of a city is breathtaking" in English.
Explore these topics to learn more!
View Full Challenge
Intermediate

Which preposition correctly pairs with the verb "lernen" to mean "to learn from"?

Er hat aus seinen Fehlern gelernt

Reset answer
You answered incorrectly.
The correct preposition to use with "lernen" to convey the meaning of "to learn from" is "aus", making the expression "lernen aus". The sentence "Er hat aus seinen Fehlern gelernt" means "He learned from his mistakes".
Explore these topics to learn more!
View Full Challenge
Intermediate

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

Er fährt zu seiner Arbeit

Reset answer
You answered correctly!
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.
Explore these topics to learn more!
View Full Challenge
Beginner

Conjugate the modal verb "sollen" to fit the sentence

Du sollst deine Hausaufgaben machen.

Reset answer
You answered correctly!
The correct form for 'sollen' in the second person singular is 'sollst'. The full sentence translates to "You should do your homework".
Explore these topics to learn more!
View Full Challenge
Beginner

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

Ich lese die Zeitung.

Reset answer
You answered correctly!
In German, the accusative case form of "die" remains "die" when used with feminine nouns. For example, in the sentence "Ich lese die Zeitung" (I read the newspaper), "Zeitung" is a feminine noun and "die" is used as the article in both the nominative and accusative cases. This consistency applies to all feminine nouns in German, where the article "die" does not change in the accusative case. 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 understand these changes in the different cases!
Explore these topics to learn more!
View Full Challenge
Intermediate

Which preposition correctly pairs with the verb "träumen" to mean "to dream of"?

Sie träumt jede Nacht von ihrem Urlaub

Reset answer
You answered incorrectly.
The correct preposition to use with "träumen" to convey the meaning of "to dream of" is "von", making the expression "träumen von". The sentence "Sie träumt jede Nacht von ihrem Urlaub" means "She dreams about her holiday every night".
Explore these topics to learn more!
View Full Challenge
Beginner

Which verb completes the sentence to mean 'wear'?

Sie trägt immer schöne Kleider.

Reset answer
You answered correctly!
In the context of the sentence, the word 'trägt' is a German verb that means 'wears' in English. The subject 'sie' (she) and the context of clothes makes 'trägt' the only suitable choice among the given options since all the other options are not connected with the context.
View Full Challenge

Track your progress, get daily alerts!

Simply provide your email address to keep track of your answers, and optionally receive daily alerts for new challenges.