In German, the infinitive is the base form of a verb, equivalent to the English "to do" (to speak, to go, to see). Most German infinitives end in -en (machen, sprechen, gehen), though a few end in -n (arbeiten).
The infinitive is used:
- As the dictionary form of a verb.
- After modal verbs like können (can), müssen (must), wollen (want).
- After verbs of perception (sehen, hören) and verbs like lassen.
- After zu in infinitive clauses (similar to English "to do").
Learning the infinitive form of verbs is the first step to German verb conjugation.
A2
Table of Contents
- Infinitiv mit/ohne zu
In German, some verbs are used as infinitives with "zu" (Infinitiv mit zu), while others appear without "zu" (Infinitiv ohne zu). This happens in dependent clauses, modal verbs, verb constructions, and fixed expressions.
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
