zu sein

Meaning and Usage

"Zu sein" in German translates to "to be" in English. It is used as an infinitive form of the verb "sein" and is often used in combination with another verb to form the infinitive, such as "zu sein," meaning "to be."

Linguistic Analysis

The word "zu" is an infinitive marker, and "sein" is the infinitive form of the verb "to be." "Zu" is used when forming the infinitive in German, similar to "to" in English. The verb "sein" is of Germanic origin and can be traced back to Old High German.

Comparisons between German and English

The structure of "zu sein" in German is similar to the infinitive form "to be" in English.

Cultural Context

No specific cultural context associated with "zu sein," as it is a fundamental part of the German language.

Example Sentences

• Ich versuche, ruhig zu sein. (I try to be calm.)
• Mein Ziel ist, glücklich zu sein. (My goal is to be happy.)

Memory Tips

Associate "zu sein" with the English infinitive "to be" to remember its meaning and usage.

Additional Vocabulary

• Synonyms: existieren (to exist), leben (to live)
• Antonyms: nicht sein (not to be)

Gender and Plural (for nouns)

N/A

Conjugation (for verbs)

N/A