Word Frequency (Worthäufigkeit) #50
Word (Wort)

um ... zu

Translation (Übersetzung) in order to
Pronunciation (Aussprache) [ʊm tsuː]
A2
Conjunction
Beginner
Neutral
Tags (Tags)
grammar conjunction A2 purpose infinitive
Used to express purpose or intention. Requires the infinitive verb at the end of the clause. The subject of both clauses must be the same. 'Um' introduces the purpose clause, 'zu' is placed before the infinitive verb.

um ... zu - German Conjunction - um ... zu Meaning - um ... zu Translation - um ... zu Conjunction Examples

um ... zu is a German Conjunction

Learn um ... zu meaning, translation, pronunciation, and usage examples. um ... zu is classified as a Conjunction in German grammar.

um ... zu Examples (Beispiele) in English

um ... zu examples with English translations. See how to use um ... zu in sentences. um ... zu example sentences in English below.

Ich gehe in die Bibliothek, um zu lernen.
I go to the library in order to study.
Expressing purpose of an action
Sie arbeitet viel, um Geld zu sparen.
She works a lot in order to save money.
Expressing intention behind an action
Wir müssen früh aufstehen, um pünktlich zu sein.
We have to get up early in order to be on time.
Expressing necessity for achieving a goal

um ... zu Word Family - um ... zu Related Words - um ... zu Family Members

um ... zu Word Family (Wortfamilie)

um ... zu word family includes related words, derivatives, and word forms. Learn um ... zu family members with meanings, translations, and usage. Explore um ... zu related words and expand your German vocabulary.

related construction (verwandte Konstruktion)
ohne ... zu
Meaning: without ... -ing
Example: Er ging, ohne etwas zu sagen.
Conjunction
anstatt ... zu
Meaning: instead of ... -ing
Example: Anstatt zu arbeiten, schläft er.
Conjunction

um ... zu Usage - um ... zu Collocations - um ... zu Idioms - um ... zu Synonyms - um ... zu Antonyms

um ... zu Usage & Related Words (Verwendung & verwandte Wörter)

Learn how to use um ... zu in context. Discover um ... zu collocations (common word combinations), idioms, synonyms, and antonyms. Master um ... zu usage patterns and expand your German vocabulary with related words.

um ... zu Collocations (Kollokationen)

um ... zu collocations are common word combinations that native speakers use. Learn um ... zu word combinations and how to use um ... zu with other words naturally.

um Geld zu verdienen
in order to earn money
High frequency
um Deutsch zu lernen
in order to learn German
High frequency
um pünktlich zu sein
in order to be on time
Medium frequency
um Hilfe zu bitten
in order to ask for help
Medium frequency
um Zeit zu sparen
in order to save time
Medium frequency

um ... zu Idioms (Redewendungen)

um ... zu idioms and expressions. Learn German idioms containing um ... zu with meanings and explanations. Master um ... zu expressions used in everyday German.

um die Ecke zu denken
to think outside the box
Literally 'to think around the corner', meaning to think creatively or unconventionally
um den heißen Brei herumzureden
to beat around the bush
To avoid talking directly about something important or difficult

um ... zu Synonyms (Synonyme)

um ... zu synonyms - words with similar meanings. Find alternative words for um ... zu and expand your German vocabulary. Learn um ... zu similar words and their usage.

damit
Meaning: so that
Medium similarity
für
Meaning: for
Low similarity

um ... zu Antonyms (Antonyme)

um ... zu antonyms - opposite words. Learn words with opposite meanings to um ... zu. Discover um ... zu opposite words and expand your German vocabulary.

ohne ... zu
Meaning: without ... -ing
anstatt ... zu
Meaning: instead of ... -ing

um ... zu Semantically Related Words - um ... zu Contextually Related Words - um ... zu Thematically Related Words

um ... zu Semantically Related Words (Semantisch verwandte Wörter)

um ... zu semantically related words - words that are conceptually or thematically related to um ... zu. Explore um ... zu related vocabulary and discover words in the same semantic field. Learn um ... zu contextually related words to expand your German vocabulary.

Practice this word and related vocabulary

Short multiple-choice practice based on this page: root word, family words, conjugations, idioms, synonyms, collocations, and antonyms. No login required – your results are kept only in this session.

Download GermanPilot App

Learn German on the go! Download our mobile app for Android and iOS. Practice vocabulary, grammar, and speaking skills anywhere, anytime.

Android

iOS