Breakdown of Meiner Meinung nach ist das Buch zu lang.
sein
to be
das Buch
the book
zu
too (e.g., too big)
lang
long
meiner Meinung nach
in my opinion
Questions & Answers about Meiner Meinung nach ist das Buch zu lang.
Why does nach come after Meiner Meinung instead of before it?
The word nach usually comes before the noun (like nach Berlin), but when it is used to mean 'in someone's opinion' or 'according to', it is often placed after the noun. So, 'according to my opinion' becomes the set phrase Meiner Meinung nach.
Why is it Meiner Meinung and not Meine Meinung?
The word nach always forces the noun that belongs to it into the dative case. Because Meinung is a feminine noun (die Meinung), the possessive word meine must change to its dative form, meiner.
Why does the verb ist come before the subject das Buch?
In a normal German sentence, the main verb must always take the second position. The entire phrase Meiner Meinung nach acts as one block occupying the first position. To keep the verb in position two, ist must come next, followed by the subject das Buch.
Does zu always mean 'too' like it does here in zu lang?
When zu is placed directly before an adjective like lang, it means 'too' (excessively). However, you will also frequently see zu used as a preposition meaning 'to' or 'towards' a place or person, like going zur Arbeit (to work).
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