Breakdown of Der Teenager ist im Begriff, das Haus zu verlassen.
sein
to be
das Haus
the house
im
in the (used with months) / in the (contraction of in + dem)
zu
to (infinitive marker)
verlassen
to leave
der Begriff
the term
der Teenager
the teenager
Questions & Answers about Der Teenager ist im Begriff, das Haus zu verlassen.
What does Begriff literally mean, and how does it translate to "on the verge of" here?
The noun der Begriff usually means "concept," "idea," or "term." The phrase im Begriff sein literally translates to something like "to be in the concept (of doing something)." However, it functions as a fixed idiom in German meaning "to be about to" or "to be on the verge of."
How does using im Begriff sein differ from just saying Der Teenager verlässt gleich das Haus?
Adding gleich (shortly/in a moment) to the present tense means the teenager will leave very soon. im Begriff sein, however, emphasizes the extreme immediacy of the action. It implies the teenager is in the very process of starting the action—he likely already has his coat on and his hand on the doorknob.
Is the comma before das Haus zu verlassen necessary?
Yes, it is highly recommended here. Because das Haus zu verlassen is an extended infinitive clause (an infinitive verb that comes with its own object, das Haus) and it depends on the noun phrase im Begriff, a comma separates the main clause from the action about to happen.
Why do we use das Haus instead of aus dem Haus?
The verb verlassen (to leave) is a transitive verb, which means it requires a direct accusative object. You directly "leave the house" (das Haus verlassen). If you wanted to use aus dem Haus (out of the house), you would need to pair it with a verb of motion like gehen (aus dem Haus zu gehen).
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