Wir möchten im Garten spazieren gehen.

in

Breakdown of Wir möchten im Garten spazieren gehen.

• dem: the; (masculine or neuter, dative)
• wir: we
• der Garten: the garden
• möchten: would like to
• spazieren gehen: to go for a walk

Questions & Answers about Wir möchten im Garten spazieren gehen.

Why do we say "im" Garten instead of "in dem" Garten?

"Im" is a contraction of in + dem, so "im Garten" literally means in the garden. In German, it's very common to use the contracted form.

What is the difference between "möchten" and "wollen"?

Both mean to want, but möchten is more polite or softer, while wollen can sound more direct or forceful.

Why is "gehen" needed after "spazieren"?

In German, spazieren often appears with gehen to form the phrase spazieren gehen, meaning to go for a walk. You can sometimes say spazieren on its own, but spazieren gehen is a very common way to express the action of going for a walk.

Could you say "Wir möchten spazieren gehen im Garten" instead?

While Wir möchten spazieren gehen im Garten is understandable, it sounds less natural in German word order. Typically, you’d keep im Garten before spazieren gehen.

Is it common to separate the phrase "spazieren gehen" in a sentence?

Yes, in some contexts you might split them up, for instance: Wir möchten gerne im Garten ein bisschen spazieren gehen. But usually, you keep the verb parts spazieren and gehen close together in more straightforward sentences like this one.