Ich ziehe heute in die Stadt um.

I am moving to the city today.

Breakdown of Ich ziehe heute in die Stadt um.

• ich: I
• heute: today
• die Stadt: the city
• umziehen: to move

Questions & Answers about Ich ziehe heute in die Stadt um.

Why is the verb umziehen split into "ziehe ... um" in this sentence?

In German, umziehen is a separable prefix verb. Some German verbs have prefixes that can detach and move to the end of the clause. In the present tense, "ich ziehe um" is the correct way to say "I move (house)," and the sentence includes this when you place subject, finite verb (ziehe), and the prefix (um) separated at the end.

Why do we use "in die Stadt" instead of "in der Stadt"?

Because "in" with movement into somewhere requires the accusative case (the Wohin? question in German). Since "Stadt" is feminine (die Stadt), its accusative form is also "die Stadt," which is why we say "in die Stadt" (into the city) rather than "in der Stadt" (in the city, indicating location).

Can I just say "Ich ziehe heute in die Stadt" and leave out "um"?

Not if you mean you are changing your place of residence. Just saying "Ich ziehe heute in die Stadt" could be understood but sounds incomplete or less precise in German. "Umziehen" specifically means changing residences or moving from one place to another, whereas "ziehen" alone might just mean "to pull" or "to move" in a more general sense without the nuance of relocation.

What is the reason for putting "heute" after "ziehe"?

In German, you have flexibility in word order, but placing "heute" right after the verb is very common. It emphasizes the time or provides a more natural flow in this context. You could also say "Heute ziehe ich in die Stadt um," but it shifts the emphasis to "heute" as the first element.

Does the sentence imply a temporary move or a permanent move?

Usually, umziehen implies a change of residence and therefore suggests something more permanent, or at least a formal relocation. If you are only going to stay in the city for a short time, you might phrase that differently (for example, using "übernachten" or talking about "vorübergehend wohnen"). However, context helps clarify how permanent or temporary it is.