Breakdown of Der Zauberer macht den Trick, ohne das Geheimnis zu verraten.
machen
to make, to do
ohne
without
das Geheimnis
the secret
zu
to (infinitive marker)
der Zauberer
the magician
der Trick
the trick
verraten
to reveal
Questions & Answers about Der Zauberer macht den Trick, ohne das Geheimnis zu verraten.
Why does the German sentence use zu verraten instead of an '-ing' word like in English?
In English, we say 'without revealing', using the '-ing' form of the verb. German doesn't have an exact equivalent to this. Instead, it uses ohne (without) + zu (to) + the infinitive of the verb (verraten). Literally, it reads 'without the secret to reveal'.
Why is das Geheimnis placed before zu verraten?
In an ohne ... zu clause, the phrase starts with ohne and ends with zu + the infinitive verb. Any objects or extra information, like das Geheimnis (the secret), get sandwiched in the middle.
Is the comma before ohne required?
Yes! In German, you must use a comma to separate the main clause (Der Zauberer macht den Trick) from an infinitive clause that starts with words like ohne (without), um (in order to), or anstatt (instead of).
Why is it den Trick and not der Trick?
Trick is a masculine noun (der Trick). Here, the magician is doing the trick, making it the direct object of the verb machen. Therefore, it takes the accusative case, changing from der to den.
Does verraten always mean 'to reveal'?
It often means 'to reveal' when talking about secrets (ein Geheimnis verraten). However, it can also mean 'to betray', like betraying a friend. In both cases, you are giving away something that was supposed to be kept safe!
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