Breakdown of Ihr habt die Mahlzeiten vom Raubtier zu dokumentieren.
haben
to have
ihr
you (informal plural)
vom
from the (von + dem) / of the (belonging to) / by the (agent in a passive clause)
die Mahlzeit
the meal
das Raubtier
the predator
dokumentieren
to document
Questions & Answers about Ihr habt die Mahlzeiten vom Raubtier zu dokumentieren.
Why does this sentence use habt ... zu dokumentieren instead of just using müsst?
The structure haben + zu + infinitive is an alternative way to express a strict obligation or rule. While ihr müsst dokumentieren also means "you must document," using habt ... zu dokumentieren sounds more formal, official, or authoritative—like a strict instruction from a zookeeper or supervisor.
Why is zu dokumentieren placed at the very end of the sentence?
This obligation structure forms a "verb bracket" just like a modal verb does. The conjugated verb (habt) takes the standard second position in the sentence, pushing the zu + infinitive to the very end of the clause.
Why does it say vom Raubtier instead of using the Genitive case?
What is the literal translation of Raubtier?
Das Raubtier translates to "predator" or "beast of prey." It is a compound noun made of der Raub (robbery, theft, or spoils) and das Tier (animal). So literally, it is a "robber animal"!
Learn Ihr habt die Mahlzeiten vom Raubtier zu dokumentieren 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