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zu
/t͡suː/
to, too, for
Ich gehe zu Hause.
I go home.
general
Used to indicate direction or destination (to)
Ich gehe zu dem Supermarkt.
I'm going to the supermarket.
Often used with dative case.
general
Used to indicate excess or intensity (too)
Das ist zu schwer für mich.
That's too heavy for me.
Can be combined with adjectives, adverbs, or nouns.
general
Used to indicate purpose or function (for)
Das ist ein Geschenk zu meinem Geburtstag.
This is a gift for my birthday.
Often used in fixed expressions.
Antonyms
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Context Matters
The meaning of 'zu' changes based on the case of the following noun. Practice identifying dative and accusative cases to use 'zu' correctly.
Gold Rule
Direction vs. Excess
If 'zu' is followed by a dative noun, it usually indicates direction. If it's followed by an adjective or adverb, it usually indicates excess.
Word Origin
From Middle High German 'zū', from Old High German 'zū', from Proto-Germanic 'tō'.
Usage Notes
The meaning of 'zu' depends heavily on context. It can indicate direction, excess, or purpose. Always check the case of the following noun to determine the correct meaning.
Word Breakdown
zu
to/too/for
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