Infinitivsätze mit um...zu
um...zu-Sätze — for English Speakers
Introduction
German 'um...zu' expresses purpose, like English 'in order to' or simply 'to'. The structure splits: 'um' starts the clause, 'zu + infinitive' ends it, with everything else in between. 'Ich lerne Deutsch, um in Deutschland zu arbeiten.' English speakers find the concept easy but sometimes struggle with the split structure and placement of 'zu'.
German vs English
In German
...um in Deutschland zu arbeiten (in order to work in Germany)
In English
...to work in Germany / in order to work in Germany
Key Difference
German splits 'um' and 'zu + infinitive' around the middle content; English keeps it compact.
In German
No subject in the um...zu clause
In English
'In order to' also has no explicit subject
Key Difference
Both languages share this — the subject is implied from the main clause.
Common Mistakes for English Speakers
Ich lerne Deutsch um zu in Deutschland arbeiten.
Misplacing 'zu' — it goes directly before the infinitive at the end, not near 'um'.
...um ich Deutsch zu lernen.
Adding a subject — um...zu clauses never have their own subject (like English 'in order to').
Practice Examples
Ich spare Geld, um ein Auto zu kaufen.
I'm saving money (in order) to buy a car.
Sie geht ins Fitnessstudio, um fit zu bleiben.
She goes to the gym to stay fit.
Er lernt Deutsch, um in Deutschland zu studieren.
He's learning German to study in Germany.
Memory Tip
UM opens the gate, ZU + infinitive closes it — everything about the purpose goes in between.
View Grammar Rule
Infinitivsätze mit um...zu
um...zu-Sätze — A2
Practice Exercises
Infinitivsätze mit um...zu Übungen
8 exercises
Other Languages
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