Learn Hardcore German: Ich bin heute zu beschäftigt, um lange zu sprechen. - I am too busy today to talk for a long time.

It’s the standard German way to express the English pattern “too [adjective] to [verb].” Here, zu beschäftigt, um … zu sprechen = “too busy to speak.” This construction is very common and idiomatic.

Are the two instances of zu the same (in zu beschäftigt and zu sprechen)?

No. The first zu is a degree particle meaning “too” (excess). The second zu is the infinitive marker used in infinitive clauses (um … zu sprechen).

Why is there a comma before um lange zu sprechen?

Because um … zu introduces an infinitive clause (Infinitivgruppe). German requires a comma before such clauses when they’re introduced by um, ohne, (an)statt, außer, als.

Can I drop um and say …, lange zu sprechen?

No. In the “too [adj] to [verb]” meaning, the idiomatic pattern is zu [Adj], um … zu [Infinitiv]. Without um, it sounds ungrammatical or at least nonstandard.

Why is it lange zu sprechen and not zu sprechen lange?

In infinitive clauses, adverbs and objects typically come before the zu + infinitive: [adverbs/objects] + zu + [verb]. So: lange zu sprechen is the normal order.

What’s the difference between lange and lang here?

lange is the common adverb meaning “for a long time”: lange sprechen.
lang is more typical with explicit durations: eine Stunde lang.
Both forms can appear adverbially, but lange sprechen is the preferred collocation.
Note: zu lange means “too long,” which would change the meaning.

Where can I put heute in the sentence?

Common options (different emphasis, all correct):

Heute bin ich zu beschäftigt, um lange zu sprechen. (fronted time = strong emphasis on “today”)
Ich bin heute zu beschäftigt, um lange zu sprechen. (neutral) Avoid placing heute at the very end; time adverbs usually come earlier (German prefers Time–Manner–Place).

Could I say Ich bin heute zu beschäftigt, um lange zu reden or … um mich lange zu unterhalten?

Yes.

sprechen is neutral;
reden is more casual/colloquial;
sich (mit jemandem) unterhalten means “have a conversation,” slightly more interactive.
Choose based on nuance and register.

Is there an alternative, like “I don’t have time to …”?

Yes: Ich habe heute keine Zeit, lange zu sprechen.
This focuses on lacking time rather than being busy; both are idiomatic.

Why is it zu sprechen and not zu spreche?

German uses the base infinitive form after zu: sprechen, gehen, helfen, etc. Only the finite verb in a main clause is conjugated.

Where does zu go with separable verbs in an um … zu clause?

It wedges between the prefix and the verb:

anrufen → anzurufen (e.g., um dich anzurufen)
aufstehen → aufzustehen (e.g., um früher aufzustehen)
Inseparable prefixes (be-, ver-, etc.) just take zu in front: verstehen → zu verstehen.

Can I use damit instead of um … zu here?

No. damit means “so that” and takes a full finite clause (damit ich … spreche), expressing purpose. It does not express “too [adj] to …”. The “too … to …” idea is specifically zu [Adj], um … zu [Infinitiv].

Does beschäftigt need mit + Dativ (e.g., mit der Arbeit)?

Not necessarily. Ich bin beschäftigt works on its own. You can add detail with mit: Ich bin heute mit Meetings beschäftigt, but it’s optional.

What’s the difference between sehr beschäftigt and zu beschäftigt?

sehr beschäftigt = “very busy” (high degree, but not necessarily preventing action).
zu beschäftigt = “too busy” (so busy that the action can’t happen).
This mirrors English closely.

Any capitalization or spelling pitfalls in this sentence?

heute, beschäftigt, lange are all lower-case (adverb/adjective).
Only nouns are capitalized in German (unless starting the sentence or a proper noun).
Don’t write um Lange zu sprechen—that would wrongly make Lange a noun.

Is there a polite softener I can add?

Yes: leider.
Example: Ich bin heute leider zu beschäftigt, um lange zu sprechen.
It signals regret and makes the refusal more courteous.