Ich möchte das Fenster zumachen.

I want to close the window.

Breakdown of Ich möchte das Fenster zumachen.

• ich: I
• das Fenster: the window
• möchten: would like to
• zumachen: to close

Questions & Answers about Ich möchte das Fenster zumachen.

Why is zumachen at the end of the sentence?

Because in German main clauses with modal verbs (like möchte), the conjugated modal goes in second position while the infinitive (here the separable verb zumachen) moves to the very end.

What exactly is zumachen?

zumachen is a separable verb meaning to close (literally “to make shut”). In a simple statement you’d split it: e.g. Ich mache das Fenster zu. But with a modal like möchte, you keep it together at the end: Ich möchte das Fenster zumachen.

Why is zumachen written as one word rather than zu machen?

Here zu‑ is the prefix of the separable verb zumachen, not the infinitive marker zu. Separable‑verb prefixes attach to the verb stem to form one word, so zu + machen = zumachen.

What does möchte mean, and how is it different from will?

möchte is the subjunctive form of mögen used for polite desires (“I would like”). Ich möchte = “I would like.”
Ich will is more direct (“I want”) and can sound stronger or less polite.

Can I use a different word for “close,” such as schließen?

Yes. Fenster schließen is more formal: Ich möchte das Fenster schließen. zumachen is more everyday speech.

Why is the article das used with Fenster?

Because Fenster is a neuter noun (das Fenster). German has three genders (der / die / das), and you must match the correct article.

Could I front the object for emphasis?

Yes. You could say Das Fenster möchte ich zumachen to emphasize the window. German allows fronting other sentence elements as long as you keep the verb-second rule.