Ich gehe zurzeit selten ins Kino.

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Questions & Answers about Ich gehe zurzeit selten ins Kino.

What’s the difference between zurzeit and zur Zeit?
  • zurzeit (one word) = currently, these days. It’s an adverb.
  • zur Zeit (two words) = at that time/period (often referring to a specific or past time). Examples:
  • Ich arbeite zurzeit viel. = I’m working a lot currently.
  • Zur Zeit der Mauer war vieles anders. = At the time of the Wall, many things were different.
Why is it ins Kino and not zum Kino or just in das Kino?
  • ins = contraction of in das. Both are correct, but ins is the normal, idiomatic form.
  • ins Kino gehen is the standard way to say “go to the movies (to watch a film).”
  • zum Kino (“to the cinema/building”) focuses on heading toward the location, not the activity; it’s unusual if you mean watching a movie.
Which case is Kino in here, and why?
  • in is a two‑way preposition. With motion into a place, use the accusative.
  • ins Kino = in das Kino (accusative) because you’re going into it.
  • Location at rest takes dative: im Kino = in dem Kino (“in the cinema”).
Is the order zurzeit selten ins Kino correct? Where do time and frequency go?

Yes. A common guideline is Te-Ka-Mo-Lo (Temporal–Kausal–Modal–Lokal):

  • zurzeit (temporal) + selten (modal/frequency) + ins Kino (local). You can front elements for emphasis with verb-second:
  • Zurzeit gehe ich selten ins Kino. (emphasizes the time frame)
  • Selten gehe ich zurzeit ins Kino. (strong focus on rarity; stylistically marked) Avoid: Ich gehe selten zurzeit ins Kino (sounds off).
Does ich gehe mean “I go” or “I’m going”? German doesn’t have a continuous form, right?

Correct. German uses the simple present for both:

  • Ich gehe can mean “I go” (habitual) or “I’m going” (right now), depending on context. Here, with zurzeit and selten, it describes a current habit: “I rarely go these days.”
How strong is selten compared with nicht oft, kaum, and manchmal?

From less frequent to more frequent:

  • nie/gar nicht (never)
  • kaum (hardly ever; almost never)
  • selten (rarely/seldom)
  • nicht oft (not often)
  • manchmal (sometimes)
  • oft (often)
  • sehr oft (very often)
Can selten be compared? What are the forms?

Yes:

  • Comparative: seltener
  • Superlative: am seltensten Example: Ich gehe jetzt seltener ins Kino als früher.
Why use gehen here and not fahren?
  • Activity/attendance is typically expressed with gehen: ins Kino gehen, ins Theater gehen.
  • fahren emphasizes the mode of transport: Ich fahre mit dem Auto ins Kino, but the core activity is still gehen.
What’s the difference between ins Kino and im Kino?
  • ins Kino = into the cinema (motion/destination).
  • im Kino = in the cinema (location). Examples:
  • Ich gehe ins Kino.
  • Ich bin im Kino.
If I mean I never go these days, how would I say that?
  • Ich gehe zurzeit nie ins Kino.
  • Stronger: Ich gehe zurzeit gar nicht ins Kino. (not at all)
Is zurzeit formal or casual? What are good alternatives?

Neutral and common. Synonyms:

  • derzeit (a bit formal)
  • momentan, im Moment (informal/neutral)
  • gerade (right now; not a perfect synonym in all contexts) Avoid aktuell for personal habits; it often means “current/topical” in news contexts.
Pronunciation tips for the sentence?
  • Ich: soft ch [ɪç] (like hissing “h”).
  • gehe: two syllables [ˈɡeː-ə]; don’t make it one.
  • zurzeit: starts with [ts]; Zeit = [tsaɪ̯t], like English “ts-eye-t.”
  • selten: initial sound is [z] as in “zoo,” not [s].
  • ins: short [ɪns].
  • Kino: [ˈkiːno], long “ee.”
Why is zurzeit one word, but zur Schule is two?
  • zurzeit is a lexicalized adverb meaning “currently.”
  • zur Schule is the preposition zu
    • article der
      • noun Schule (“to the school”), i.e., a regular prepositional phrase.
What is the gender of Kino, and what articles go with it?
  • Kino is neuter: das Kino.
  • Accusative singular: das → contraction ins (in das).
  • Dative singular: dem → contraction im (in dem). Indefinite: ein Kino, in ein Kino, in einem Kino.
How do I turn the sentence into a yes/no question?

Invert subject and verb:

  • Gehst du zurzeit selten ins Kino?
  • Formal: Gehen Sie zurzeit selten ins Kino?
Can I omit the preposition and say Ich gehe Kino?
No. German nouns generally need an article/preposition. The idiomatic expression is ins Kino gehen.