When conducting a health inspection or writing formal rules, you often need to express that something must or can be done. Instead of the standard passive voice with werden, German frequently uses a sleek alternative: sein + zu + infinitive.
This translates closely to the English "is to be [done]" or "can be [done]".
Expressing Necessity
To state that something needs to be addressed, conjugate sein to match your subject, and place zu directly before the infinitive at the end of the sentence.
| The hygiene is to be checked strictly. | Die Hygiene ist streng zu kontrollieren. |
| The dirt on the floor is to be removed immediately. | Der Schmutz auf dem Boden ist sofort zu entfernen. |
In these contexts, the structure functions like a passive sentence with the modal verb müssen (must), but sounds more direct and authoritative.
Formal Instructions and Reports
Because of its objective tone, you will hear and read this construction frequently in official protocols, safety measures, and workplace manuals.
| Every table is to be disinfected thoroughly after lunch. | Jeder Tisch ist nach dem Mittagessen gründlich zu desinfizieren. |
| All errors and defects are to be rectified quickly. | Alle Fehler und Mängel sind schnell zu beheben. |
| Everything is to be written exactly into the protocol. | Alles ist genau in das Protokoll zu schreiben. |