Breakdown of Nein, diese Schuhe sind zu groß.
sein
to be
groß
big / tall
nein
no
dieser
this / that (fem.: diese, neut.: dieses)
zu
too (e.g., too big)
der Schuh
the shoe
Questions & Answers about Nein, diese Schuhe sind zu groß.
Why do we use diese here instead of dieser or dieses?
Because Schuhe (shoes) is a plural noun. When pointing out plural nouns that are the subject of the sentence, we always use diese (these), no matter what gender the noun has in its singular form.
Why doesn't the adjective groß get a plural ending to match Schuhe?
In German, adjectives only change their endings when they are placed directly before a noun (like diese großen Schuhe - these big shoes). When an adjective comes after a verb like sind (are), it stays in its basic, unchanged dictionary form (groß).
I learned that zu means "to". Why does it mean "too" in this sentence?
zu is a very versatile word! When it is placed directly in front of an adjective like groß (big), it means "too" or "excessively" (too big). You will only translate it as "to" when it's used with places or actions.
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