Breakdown of Der Bewerber ist zu krank, um das Vorstellungsgespräch zu führen.
sein
to be
zu
too (e.g., too big)
krank
sick
führen
to lead / to conduct (a conversation or interview)
um ... zu
in order to
der Bewerber
the applicant
das Vorstellungsgespräch
the job interview
Questions & Answers about Der Bewerber ist zu krank, um das Vorstellungsgespräch zu führen.
Why are there two zu words in this sentence?
This sentence uses the zu [adjective], um ... zu [infinitive] structure, which means 'too [adjective] to [verb]'. The first zu means 'too' (zu krank = 'too sick'). The um ... zu part wraps around the rest of the clause, placing um after the comma and zu right before the infinitive verb at the very end (um ... zu führen = 'to do').
Why does the sentence use führen instead of machen for 'doing' an interview?
In German, you don't 'make' or 'do' an interview; you 'lead' or 'conduct' it. The standard phrasing is ein Gespräch führen (to have a conversation) or ein Vorstellungsgespräch führen (to do a job interview).
Why is there a comma after krank?
In German, infinitive clauses introduced by um, ohne, or anstatt must be separated from the main clause by a comma. Because um das Vorstellungsgespräch zu führen is an infinitive clause starting with um, this comma is a strict grammar rule, unlike in English.
What is the literal breakdown of Vorstellungsgespräch?
It is a compound noun made of Vorstellung (introduction or presentation), a connecting -s-, and Gespräch (conversation). Literally an 'introduction conversation', this is the standard German term for a job interview.
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