Log inSign up

Im Kino ist es heute zu laut, also gehe ich lieber nach Hause.

Im Kino ist es heute zu laut, also gehe ich lieber nach Hause.
At the cinema it is too loud today, so I prefer to go home.
Elon.io is an online learning platform
We have an entire course teaching German grammar and vocabulary.

Start learning German now

Questions & Answers about Im Kino ist es heute zu laut, also gehe ich lieber nach Hause.

Why does ist come before es in Im Kino ist es heute zu laut?

Because Im Kino is placed in position 1 of the German main clause (the “topic” slot). In a main clause, German uses verb-second (V2) word order: the conjugated verb (ist) must be in position 2. So the subject es moves behind the verb:

  • Im Kino (1) + ist (2) + es
    • heute
      • zu laut.
What is the es here—does it refer to something specific?

Here es is a dummy/placeholder subject, similar to English it in It’s too loud. It doesn’t point to a specific noun; it’s just required because German normally needs a subject in a finite clause like ist.

Why is it im Kino and not in dem Kino?

im is the contraction of in dem:

  • in dem Kino → im Kino Both are grammatically correct, but im is much more common in everyday German.
Why is in used with the dative (im) and not accusative (ins)?

With two-way prepositions like in, German chooses:

  • Dative for location (where?): im Kino = “in the cinema”
  • Accusative for movement/direction (where to?): ins Kino = “into the cinema / to the cinema”

Here it’s describing where it is loud (a location), so dative: im.

What does zu laut mean, and how is zu different from sehr?

zu laut means too loud (more than acceptable / a problem).
sehr laut means very loud (strong degree, but not necessarily a problem). So zu implies “excessive” or “more than desired.”

Is heute in a special position? Could it go somewhere else?

Yes, heute is flexible. German time expressions often appear relatively early, but other placements are possible depending on emphasis:

  • Im Kino ist es heute zu laut. (neutral)
  • Heute ist es im Kino zu laut. (emphasis on today)
  • Im Kino ist es zu laut heute. (possible, but often sounds more marked/afterthought)
Why is there a comma before also?

Because also here introduces a new main clause (a consequence), and German separates main clauses with a comma:

  • Im Kino ist es heute zu laut, also gehe ich lieber nach Hause. You can think of it like: “..., so I’d rather go home.”
Does also always mean “also” like in English?

No. German also most commonly means so / therefore / well then, depending on context. It only rarely matches English “also.” In this sentence it means therefore/so.

Why is it gehe ich and not ich gehe after also?

Because after also the clause is treated like a main clause where something other than the subject can take position 1. Here also is occupying the first position, so the verb still must be second (V2):

  • also (1) + gehe (2) + ich
    • ... If you instead started directly with the subject, you’d get:
  • Ich gehe also lieber nach Hause. (different emphasis: “I’m therefore going ...”)
What does lieber mean here, and how does it work grammatically?

lieber means rather / preferably. It’s the comparative form related to lieb (“dear/liked”), but in this fixed usage it functions like an adverb:

  • Ich gehe lieber nach Hause. = “I’d rather go home.” It often implies a preference compared to an alternative (here: staying at the cinema).
Why is it nach Hause and not zu Hause?

They express different things:

  • nach Hause = (going) home → direction/movement
  • zu Hause = at home → location So gehe ... nach Hause is correct because it’s motion toward home.
Is nach Hause one word or two? And can you say nach Haus?

Standard usage is nach Hause (two words).
In some regions you may hear nach Haus, but nach Hause is the safest and most widely accepted form for learners.

Could you replace gehe with fahre or another verb?

Yes, depending on how you’re getting home:

  • ... also fahre ich lieber nach Hause. (if you’re driving/riding)
  • ... also laufe ich lieber nach Hause. (if you’re walking)
  • ... also gehe ich lieber nach Hause. is the general default (not necessarily only on foot in everyday speech).