Breakdown of Der Student ist zu schwach, um für die Position geeignet zu sein.
sein
to be
zu
too (e.g., too big)
für
for
schwach
weak
der Student
the university student
um ... zu
in order to
die Position
the position
geeignet
suitable
Questions & Answers about Der Student ist zu schwach, um für die Position geeignet zu sein.
Why are there two instances of zu in this sentence?
They serve completely different purposes. The first zu means "too", indicating an excessive degree (zu schwach = "too weak"). The second zu is part of the um ... zu structure, which expresses "in order to" or simply "to". In this structure, the second zu is placed right before the infinitive verb at the very end (zu sein).
How does the word order work in the um ... zu part of the sentence?
The word um starts the clause, and the verb goes at the very end in its infinitive (dictionary) form. The word zu must be placed directly in front of that final infinitive verb. Here, the phrase is geeignet sein (to be suitable), so the words gather at the end to form geeignet zu sein.
Why is it für die Position instead of using the dative case?
The preposition für is a strict accusative preposition; it always requires the accusative case, no matter the context. Since Position is a feminine noun, its accusative article remains die.
Does schwach mean the student is physically weak here?
It could technically mean that depending on the job, but in an academic or professional context, schwach is usually used figuratively to mean "poor performing" or "lacking the necessary skills". Just like in English, you can call someone a "weak candidate".
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