Breakdown of Es gilt, das Sorgerecht gemeinsam zu planen.
planen
to plan
gemeinsam
together (jointly, mutually)
es gilt, ... zu
it is necessary to (in 'es gilt, ... zu')
das Sorgerecht
the custody
Questions & Answers about Es gilt, das Sorgerecht gemeinsam zu planen.
Why does gilt mean "is essential" here instead of "is valid"?
The construction es gilt, [etwas] zu [tun] is a fixed idiom. While gelten normally means "to be valid" or "to apply", this specific structure translates to "it is necessary to", "the task at hand is to", or "it is essential to" do something.
How is the word Sorgerecht formed?
It is a compound noun made from die Sorge (care, concern, or worry) and das Recht (right or law). In a family and legal context, it refers to the right to care for a child, which translates to "custody".
Is the comma before das required here?
Yes, it is highly recommended and usually strictly required in this specific structure. Because the main clause uses the placeholder word es to point forward to the action, you use a comma to separate the main clause from the extended infinitive clause (das Sorgerecht gemeinsam zu planen).
Could I just say Es ist wichtig, das Sorgerecht gemeinsam zu planen?
Absolutely. That is a perfectly natural and more common way to express this in everyday speech. Using es gilt sounds a bit more formal, urgent, and goal-oriented, making it common in journalism, legal contexts, or professional discussions.
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