Breakdown of Eine ungewohnte Spezialität zu probieren, macht Spaß.
ein
a, an (eine)
probieren
to try / to taste (to sample)
zu
to (infinitive marker)
Spaß machen
to be fun (something is fun for someone)
die Spezialität
the specialty
ungewohnt
unfamiliar
Questions & Answers about Eine ungewohnte Spezialität zu probieren, macht Spaß.
How can an infinitive phrase like Eine ungewohnte Spezialität zu probieren act as the subject of the sentence?
In German, an entire infinitive clause can sit in Position 1 and function as the logical subject of the main sentence. Think of it as a single block answering the question 'What is fun?'. Because this entire clause occupies the first position, the conjugated verb macht must immediately follow it in Position 2.
Why isn't there an es before macht?
If the infinitive clause is in Position 1, it already fills the subject slot, so you do not need the pronoun es. You only use the placeholder subject es if you move the infinitive clause to the end of the sentence: Es macht Spaß, eine ungewohnte Spezialität zu probieren.
Is the comma after probieren strictly required?
Technically, the comma is optional when an infinitive clause acts as the subject. However, because this phrase is 'extended' with its own object (Eine ungewohnte Spezialität), using a comma is highly recommended to clearly separate this long subject block from the main verb macht.
Why does ungewohnte end in -e here?
Inside the infinitive clause, the noun phrase Eine ungewohnte Spezialität is the direct object of the verb probieren, meaning it must be in the accusative case. Since Spezialität is feminine and follows the indefinite article eine, the adjective takes the standard feminine accusative ending -e.
Learn Eine ungewohnte Spezialität zu probieren, macht Spaß 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