zum Beispiel/z. B.
Meaning and Usage
"Zum Beispiel" in German translates to "for example" or "for instance" in English. It is used to introduce an example or an instance to illustrate a statement.
Linguistic Analysis
"Zum Beispiel" is a prepositional phrase consisting of the preposition "zu" (to) combined with the noun "Beispiel" (example). The contraction "z. B." is an abbreviation for "zum Beispiel."
Comparisons between German and English
The translation of "zum Beispiel" to "for example" closely mirrors the usage in English, making it relatively easy to understand and use for English speakers.
Cultural Context
Using "zum Beispiel" is an essential part of German communication, especially in academic or professional settings when providing examples to support an argument or explanation.
Example Sentences
- Ich mag verschiedene Musikrichtungen, zum Beispiel Klassik, Rock und Jazz. (I like different music genres, for example classical, rock, and jazz.)
- Wir könnten morgen zum Beispiel ins Kino gehen. (Tomorrow we could go to the cinema, for example.)
Memory Tips
Associate "zum Beispiel" with the English phrase "for example" to remember its meaning and usage.
Additional Vocabulary
- Andere Beispiele (other examples)
- Ein gutes Beispiel (a good example)
- Beispielsweise (for example/such as)
Gender and Plural (for nouns)
"Das Beispiel" (the example) is neuter, and the plural form is "die Beispiele."
Conjugation (for verbs)
Not applicable, as "zum Beispiel" is a prepositional phrase and not a verb.