Breakdown of Das Kaninchen verschwindet, ohne etwas zu fressen.
etwas
something
ohne
without
zu
to (infinitive marker)
fressen
to eat (for animals)
das Kaninchen
the rabbit
verschwinden
to disappear
Questions & Answers about Das Kaninchen verschwindet, ohne etwas zu fressen.
How does the ohne ... zu structure work in this sentence?
The word ohne (without) starts the second part of the sentence after the comma. The word zu goes right before the verb in its infinitive form (fressen), which is pushed to the very end of the sentence.
Why does the sentence use fressen instead of essen for eating?
In German, fressen is the specific verb used when animals eat. If you use essen for an animal, it sounds like it is eating like a human, perhaps sitting at a table with manners!
Doesn't etwas mean something? Why is it translated as anything here?
You are right, etwas literally means something. However, because the word without implies a negative, English speakers naturally say without eating anything. German doesn't change the word, so ohne etwas covers both without something and without anything.
Is the comma before ohne required?
Yes! Unlike in English, German strictly requires a comma to separate the main clause (Das Kaninchen verschwindet) from an infinitive clause like ohne etwas zu fressen.
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