Breakdown of Nach der Zugfahrt steigen wir aus und laufen gemeinsam zum Geschäft, um neue Hosen zu kaufen.
und
and
dem
the; (masculine or neuter, dative)
neu
new
wir
we
zu
to
kaufen
to buy
gemeinsam
together
nach
after
um
in order to
die Zugfahrt
the train ride
aussteigen
to get off
laufen
to walk
das Geschäft
the store
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Questions & Answers about Nach der Zugfahrt steigen wir aus und laufen gemeinsam zum Geschäft, um neue Hosen zu kaufen.
Why does the sentence begin with Nach der Zugfahrt, and what is its grammatical role?
Nach der Zugfahrt is a prepositional phrase indicating time—specifically, it means "after the train ride." The preposition nach governs the dative case, which is why Zugfahrt takes the dative feminine form (der Zugfahrt). This phrase sets the temporal context for the actions that follow.
Why is the verb aussteigen split into steigen wir aus rather than remaining together?
In German, aussteigen is a separable verb. In main clauses, the separable prefix (aus) is moved to the end of the clause while the main part of the verb (steigen) occupies the second position. This is why you see steigen near the beginning and aus at the end of that clause.
What is the purpose of the comma before um neue Hosen zu kaufen?
The comma introduces an um... zu construction, which is a purpose clause. This clause explains why the action is being performed—in this case, why we are heading to the shop. According to German punctuation rules, purpose clauses are typically separated from the main clause by a comma.
What does zum Geschäft mean, and why is it structured that way?
Zum Geschäft is a contraction of zu dem Geschäft and translates to "to the shop." The preposition zu requires the dative case, and in this instance, the article dem combines with zu to form zum. This indicates the direction or destination of the action.
How does the um neue Hosen zu kaufen clause function within the sentence?
The um neue Hosen zu kaufen clause is a purpose clause that answers the question "why?" It explains the purpose of going to the shop—it tells us that the reason for walking there is in order to buy new trousers. The structure um... zu is specifically used to express intent or purpose in German.
Why is the finite verb steigen placed immediately after the introductory phrase?
German main clauses require that the finite verb appear in the second position. Since the sentence begins with the adverbial phrase Nach der Zugfahrt, the finite verb steigen follows immediately to satisfy this word order rule.