anbieten, anfangen, aufhören, beginnen, sich bemühen, beschließen, bitten, erlauben, glauben, verbieten, vergessen, versprechen, versuchen, vorhaben, sich freuen, …

Infinitive with “zu” in German

Introduction

The infinitive with “zu” is a common grammatical structure in German used with certain verbs, expressions, and adjectives. It is similar to the English “to + verb” (e.g., I decided to go → Ich habe beschlossen, zu gehen).

This construction consists of:

• “zu” + infinitive at the end of the sentence.

Examples:

Ich habe beschlossen, Deutsch zu lernen.
I have decided to learn German.

Er versucht, pünktlich zu sein.
He tries to be punctual.

Infinitive with “zu” after Specific Verbs

Many verbs in German require an infinitive with “zu.” These include:

Sentence Structure with “zu” + Infinitive

3.1 General Rule

The “zu” + infinitive structure is placed at the end of the sentence.

Examples:

Er versucht, die Tür zu öffnen.
He tries to open the door.

Wir haben beschlossen, eine neue Wohnung zu suchen.
We have decided to look for a new apartment.

“zu” with Separable Verbs

With separable verbs, “zu” is placed between the prefix and the verb stem.

Examples:

Ich fange an, das Buch aufzuschlagen.
I begin to open the book.

Er versucht, das Licht auszuschalten.
He tries to turn off the light.

“zu” with Modal Verbs?

Modal verbs (können, müssen, sollen, dürfen, wollen, mögen) do NOT use “zu” in the infinitive!

Alternative Constructions

“Es ist + Adjective” + Infinitive with “zu”

When using “es ist + Adjektiv”, the infinitive with “zu” describes a situation.

Examples:

Es ist wichtig, regelmäßig Sport zu treiben.
It is important to exercise regularly.

Es ist schwer, diese Sprache zu lernen.
It is difficult to learn this language.

bereit sein, erlaubt sein, falsch sein, gesund sein, gut sein, leicht sein, richtig sein, teuer sein, verboten sein …

Infinitive with “zu” after Adjectives in German

Introduction

In German, the infinitive with “zu” can be used with certain adjectives to express possibility, necessity, correctness, difficulty, or evaluation of an action. This is similar to the English “It is + adjective + to + verb” (e.g., It is easy to learn German → Es ist leicht, Deutsch zu lernen).

Examples:

• • • Es ist wichtig, pünktlich zu sein. (It is important to be punctual.)
    • Es ist schwer, eine neue Sprache zu lernen. (It is difficult to learn a new language.)

Sentence Structure: “Es ist + Adjective + zu + Infinitive”

The most common way to use infinitive with “zu” after adjectives is the impersonal construction:

• Es ist + Adjective + zu + Infinitive

This structure is often used with adjectives that describe how easy, difficult, possible, necessary, allowed, forbidden, etc. something is.

Examples:

Alternative Structures

Es ist + Adjective + für jemanden + zu + Infinitive

Sometimes, the person affected is included using “für + Akkusativ”.

Examples:

Es ist schwer für mich, Deutsch zu lernen.
It is difficult for me to learn German.

Es ist leicht für Kinder, eine neue Sprache zu lernen.
It is easy for children to learn a new language.

Es ist gesund für dich, viel Obst zu essen.
It is healthy for you to eat a lot of fruit.

“Etwas ist + Adjective + zu + Infinitive” (Passive Meaning)

Some adjectives allow a passive interpretation in this structure.

Examples:

Diese Aufgabe ist leicht zu lösen.
This task is easy to solve.

Das Buch ist schwer zu verstehen.
The book is hard to understand.

Das Problem ist nicht zu lösen.
The problem cannot be solved.

Using the Subject Explicitly (“Ich finde es …”)

Instead of “Es ist …,” you can also use “Ich finde es …” to make a personal statement.

Examples:

Ich finde es falsch, zu lügen.
I think it is wrong to lie.

Ich finde es wichtig, regelmäßig Sport zu treiben.
I think it is important to exercise regularly.

Ich finde es teuer, in dieser Stadt zu leben.
I find it expensive to live in this city.

Special Cases: Adjectives that Require a Noun or Preposition

Some adjectives require a noun or prepositional phrase to clarify meaning.

     (keine) Angst haben, die Absicht haben, (keine) Lust haben, (keinen) Spaß machen, (keine) Zeit haben

Infinitive with “zu” After Certain Nouns in German

Introduction

In German, some nouns are commonly used in expressions that require the infinitive with “zu”. This structure allows us to describe intentions, desires, time availability, fears, and enjoyment in relation to an action.

It follows the pattern:
Haben + Noun + zu + Infinitive

This corresponds to English structures like:

• I have the intention to do something.
• I have no time to do something.
• I am afraid to do something.

Sentence Structure

Common Nouns Used in This Structure

Explanation of Usage

“Angst haben, zu …” (to be afraid of doing something)

This structure is used to express fear or concern about an action.

Examples:

Ich habe Angst, mit dem Flugzeug zu fliegen.
I am afraid to fly by plane.

Sie hat Angst, eine falsche Entscheidung zu treffen.
She is afraid to make a wrong decision.

“die Absicht haben, zu …” (to have the intention to do something)

This expression is used when expressing a plan or intention.

Examples:

Wir haben die Absicht, im Sommer nach Spanien zu fahren.
We intend to go to Spain in the summer.

Er hat die Absicht, sein Studium abzuschließen.
He has the intention to finish his studies.

“keine Lust haben, zu …” (to not feel like doing something)

This is used to express lack of motivation or interest in doing something.

 Examples:

Ich habe keine Lust, heute Abend auszugehen.
I don’t feel like going out tonight.

Sie hat keine Lust, Hausaufgaben zu machen.
She doesn’t feel like doing homework.

“Spaß machen, zu …” (to be fun to do something)

This expression is used to indicate that an activity is enjoyable.

Examples:

Es macht Spaß, neue Leute kennenzulernen.
It’s fun to meet new people.

Mir macht es Spaß, Gitarre zu spielen.
I enjoy playing the guitar.

“keine Zeit haben, zu …” (to have no time to do something)

This is used when someone lacks time for an activity.

Examples:

Ich habe keine Zeit, mit dir zu telefonieren.
I have no time to talk to you on the phone.

Wir haben keine Zeit, lange zu warten.
We don’t have time to wait long.

Sentence Variations and Alternative Structures

Using “Es macht mir Spaß …”

Instead of “Spaß machen, zu + Infinitive”, you can also say:

Example:

Es macht mir Spaß, Klavier zu spielen.
I enjoy playing the piano.

Modalverben, bleiben, lassen, gehen, fahren, sehen, hören

Infinitive without “zu” for Certain Verbs in German

Introduction

In German, the infinitive with “zu” is typically required after certain verbs. However, some verbs—especially modal verbs, perception verbs (sehen, hören), and movement verbs (gehen, fahren, bleiben, lassen)—behave differently.

These verbs usually do NOT require “zu” before the infinitive.

Examples:

Ich kann Deutsch sprechen.
I can speak German.

Ich höre ihn singen.
I hear him sing.

Sie bleibt stehen.
She remains standing.

Wir gehen schwimmen.
We are going swimming.

Special Verbs That Do NOT Require “zu”

Modal Verbs (Modalverben)

The six modal verbs in German never use “zu” with the infinitive.

Common modal verbs:

• können (can)
• müssen (must)
• dürfen (may)
• wollen (want to)
• sollen (should)
• mögen (like)

Examples:

Ich kann gut schwimmen.
I can swim well.

Er muss heute arbeiten.
He must work today.

Du darfst nicht rauchen.
You are not allowed to smoke.

Wrong: Er muss heute zu arbeiten.

Verbs of Perception (sehen, hören)

These verbs do not take “zu” when referring to a complete action.
Common perception verbs:

• sehen (to see)
• hören (to hear)

Examples:

Ich sehe ihn kommen.
I see him coming.

Sie hört die Kinder lachen.
She hears the children laughing.

Wrong: Ich sehe ihn zu kommen.

Verbs of Movement (gehen, fahren)

Movement verbs do not require “zu” when followed by an infinitive.

Common movement verbs:

• gehen (to go)
• fahren (to drive, travel)

Examples:

Wir gehen schwimmen.
We are going swimming.

Ich fahre einkaufen.
I am going shopping.

Wrong: Wir gehen zu schwimmen.

bleiben (to stay, to remain in a state)

• “Bleiben” is used to indicate that someone remains in a state or continues doing something.
• It does not use “zu” before the infinitive.

Examples:

Er bleibt stehen.
He stays standing.

Ich bleibe sitzen.
I remain seated.

Wrong: Er bleibt zu stehen.

lassen (to let, to allow, to have something done)

“Lassen” means to let/allow or to have something done and does not require “zu”.

Examples:

Ich lasse ihn gehen.
I let him go.

Sie lässt ihre Haare schneiden.
She has her hair cut.

Wrong: Ich lasse ihn zu gehen.

Comparing Verbs That Require “zu” vs. Those That Don’t

Comparison Examples:

With “zu” (Correct)

Ich versuche, dich zu verstehen.
I am trying to understand you.

Sie hat beschlossen, einen neuen Job zu suchen.
She has decided to look for a new job.

Without “zu” (Incorrect)

Ich versuche, dich verstehen.

Sie hat beschlossen, einen neuen Job suchen.

„Nicht brauchen + zu“ + Infinitiv

This form is often used in written texts, newspapers, and official communication.  It sounds more formal, literary, or polite.

Examples:

Du brauchst nicht zu kommen.
You don’t need to come.

Ich brauche dir das nicht zu erklären.
I don’t need to explain that to you.

Wir brauchen uns keine Sorgen zu machen.
We don’t need to worry.

Nur brauchen zu + Infinitiv

The only way to use “brauchen zu” without Negation zu benützen is in conjunction with the constraint “nur”.

Examples:

Falls ihr Probleme habt, braucht ihr mich nur anzurufen.
If you have problems, you only need to call me.

Sie braucht sich nur sprachlich richtig zu verhalten, dann ist alles in Ordnung.
She only needs to behave correctly in terms of language, then everything is fine.

Du brauchst nur regelmäßig viel zu lesen und hören, dann kannst du dein Deutsch deutlich verbessern.
You only need to read and listen a lot regularly, then you can clearly improve your German.

When the infinitive comes first (Infinitiv + brauchen)

Both forms can also appear when the infinitive is before „brauchen“:

Examples:

Er hätte nur zu fragen brauchen, und alle hätten geholfen.
He would have only needed to ask, and everyone would have helped.

Man hätte gar nicht fragen brauchen, die Antwort war klar.
One wouldn’t have needed to ask, the answer was clear.

helfen with or without zu + Infinitiv

The verb helfen (“to help”) can appear with or without zu before an infinitive.
Both forms are correct — the choice depends on how long or complex the sentence is.

helfen + Infinitiv (without zu)

This form is used when the infinitive phrase is short and simple, especially when nothing follows helfen (no object or long expression). It’s very common in spoken German and short written expressions.

Examples:

Sie half kochen.
She helped cook.

Ich helfe putzen.
I’m helping clean.

Er half mir tragen.
He helped me carry (it).

Teamwork hilft gewinnen.
Teamwork helps (us) win.

Das Training hilft lernen.
Training helps learning.

– In these short cases, zu is normally not used.

helfen + zu + Infinitiv

This form is used when the infinitive phrase is longer, contains objects or extra information, or comes after modal verbs (müssen, wollen, sollen) or in subordinate clauses.

Examples:

Die Lehrerin half den Schülern, die Aufgaben zu lösen.
The teacher helped the students solve the exercises.

Ich will helfen, das Projekt zu organisieren.
I want to help organize the project.

Sie müssen uns helfen zu verstehen, was passiert ist.
You must help us understand what happened.

Es ist gut, wenn du mir hilfst, den Bericht zu schreiben.
It’s good if you help me write the report.

Wir hoffen, dass diese Regeln helfen, Fehler zu vermeiden.
We hope these rules help to avoid mistakes.

After modal verbs or in subordinate clauses, the form with “zu” is usually preferred — no matter how short or long.

Infinitiv + helfen

When the infinitive comes before helfen, the form without “zu” is used most of the time, even in longer expressions.

Examples:

Sie hat ihm die Koffer tragen geholfen.
She helped him carry the suitcases.

Gute Planung soll Probleme vermeiden helfen.
Good planning should help avoid problems.

Die Maßnahmen haben Kosten sparen geholfen.
The measures helped save costs.

lehren and lernen with or without zu + Infinitiv

The verbs lehren (“to teach”) and lernen (“to learn”) can be used with or without zu before an infinitive.
Both forms exist, but their use depends on sentence length, position, and structure.

lehren / lernen + Infinitiv (verb first)

When the infinitive comes after lehren or lernen:

• If the phrase is short and simple, zu is often omitted.
• If the phrase is longer or includes an object or additional information, zu is usually added.

Examples (with zu):

Die Kinder lernen zu schwimmen.
The children are learning to swim.

Der Lehrer lehrt zu denken.
The teacher teaches to think.

Er lernte zu schreiben und zu lesen.
He learned to write and to read.

Das Programm lehrte zu sehen.
The program taught (people) to see.

Examples (without zu):

Sie lehrt malen.
She teaches painting.

Er lernte tanzen.
He learned to dance.

Der Kurs lehrt programmieren.
The course teaches programming.

Kinder lernen rechnen.
Children learn to calculate.

Note: These are tendencies, not strict rules — both forms can occur.

With modal or auxiliary verbs / in subordinate clauses

If lehren or lernen appears after a modal verb (müssen, wollen, sollen) or in a subordinate clause, the following infinitive is always used with zu, even if the phrase is short.

Examples:

Wir müssen lernen, Geduld zu haben.
We must learn to have patience.

Es ist wichtig, dass Kinder lernen, Verantwortung zu übernehmen.
It’s important that children learn to take responsibility.

Adorno hat gelehrt, Musik als Kunstform zu verstehen.
Adorno taught to understand music as an art form.

Wir müssen alle lernen zu sprechen, so sagt der Lehrer.
We all need to learn to speak, the teacher says.

Wir müssen lernen, uns regelmäßig zu unterstützen.
We need to learn to support each other regularly.

Infinitiv + lehren / lernen (infinitive first)

When the infinitive phrase comes before lehren or lernen, the form without zu is most common, regardless of sentence length.

Examples:

Lesen lernen ist wichtig.
Learning to read is important.

Gute Bücher lehren denken.
Good books teach (you) to think.

Fehler vermeiden lernen ist schwer.
Learning to avoid mistakes is hard.

Wenn Träume fliegen lernen, wird alles möglich.
When dreams learn to fly, everything becomes possible.

Examples (with zu, less common)

Er hat gelernt, zu lieben.
He has learned to love.

Sie werden das Land zu verstehen lernen.
They will learn to understand the country.

Ich habe gelernt, zu warten.
I have learned to wait.