Breakdown of Ab und zu mache ich eine Pause.
ich
I
ab und zu
now and then, occasionally
eine Pause machen
to take a break
Questions & Answers about Ab und zu mache ich eine Pause.
Why is it mache ich instead of ich mache?
In German, the main verb must almost always be the second element in a sentence. Because the time phrase Ab und zu (now and then) takes the first spot, the verb mache has to come exactly second. This pushes the subject ich right after the verb.
What does Ab und zu literally mean?
Literally, it translates to "off and to," but it is a fixed phrase meaning "now and then" or "from time to time." You can treat the entire phrase as a single chunk of time that occupies the first position in the sentence.
Why use mache instead of a German word for "take"?
While English speakers "take" a break, German speakers "make" a break (eine Pause machen). Languages often use different verbs for everyday actions, so it is best to memorize eine Pause machen together as a set phrase.
Why is it eine Pause and not ein Pause?
The noun Pause is feminine (die Pause). In this sentence, the break is the direct object (the thing being "made"), so it takes the accusative case. The accusative word for "a" with a feminine noun is always eine.
Learn Ab und zu mache ich eine Pause and more in German
All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods, no signup needed.
- ✓ Practice with interactive exercises
- ✓ Track your progress with spaced repetition
- ✓Learn at your own pace — completely free