Skilled actions (wissen zu)

A successful matchmaker doesn't just do their job; they execute it with exceptional tact and skill. In German, to express that someone is highly capable of doing something or has a special knack for it, we can use the verb wissen (to know) combined with zu and an infinitive.

The "wissen zu" Structure

While you normally use können to say someone "can" do something, using wissen + zu + infinitive translates closer to "knows how to" do something. It implies expertise, finesse, or a particular capability.

To use this structure, the conjugated verb wissen takes its normal second position in the sentence. The zu and the infinitive are pushed all the way to the very end.

Let's see this in action at a dating agency (die Partnervermittlung) dealing with a client (der Klient / die Klientin).

Adding Details

Any other information—such as adverbs or direct objects—is placed in the middle of the sentence, between wissen and the zu + infinitive bracket at the end.

For example, a matchmaker might need to be empathetic (einfühlsam) or arrange a blind date (das Blind Date).

They might also use tools like a questionnaire (der Fragebogen) to ask questions discreetly (diskret). Notice how all these details stack up before the final zu + infinitive.

Finding the Perfect Match

A skilled matchmaker is always looking for a commonality (die Gemeinsamkeit) between clients. Sometimes, the strongest bond is a shared aversion (die Abneigung) to something, like sports or small talk!