Year 7 - German
Where people go: 'zu' vs 'nach', present tense (future meaning)
Plans and places: future vs present meaning for present tense
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
This unit provides pupils with the opportunity to apply their knowledge of verbs in the present tense and time adverbials to communicate future intention. Pupils learn to distinguish between 'zu' and 'nach' for destinations and apply them accurately with the dative case.
Lesson Summary
You understand the different uses of 'nach' and 'zu' meaning 'to' and can use them to say where people are going.
Key Notes
- 'Der Bodensee' (Lake Constance) is a lake that borders Germany, Switzerland and Austria.
- 'Nach' means 'to' with place names, continents and most countries, and is never followed by a definite article ('the').
- 'Zu' means 'to' when used with places with articles, e.g., 'Ich gehe zu dem Park.'. The article is in the dative case.
- Use 'zu' with people, professions and events, e.g., 'Ich gehe zu dem Lehrer.'.
- 'Zu' and 'dem' can be shortened to 'zum'. 'Zu' and 'der' can be shortened to 'zur'.
Vocabulary To Learn
- nach: word meaning 'to', used with place names, continents and most countries, never followed by the definite article
- zu: word meaning 'to', used with places that need articles and with people, professions and events
- zum: word created when 'zu' is combined with the dative definite article 'dem' (m, nt)
- zur: word created when 'zu' is combined with the dative definite article 'der' (f)
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- 'Zu' always means 'to'.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain what you can now say or understand in this lesson.
'Der Bodensee' (Lake Constance) is a lake that borders Germany, Switzerland and Austria. 'Nach' means 'to' with place names, continents and most countries, and is never followed by a definite article ('the').
2. Define this key language word and use it in context. 'nach'
word meaning 'to', used with place names, continents and most countries, never followed by the definite article. Say or write it in a short sentence so you use the word actively.
3. Correct this common language-learning mistake.
Mistake: 'Zu' always means 'to'. Correction: 'Zu' can also mean 'too', 'closed', 'off' and 'shut'! Context is important when translating into English.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Make plans: present tense (future meaning), numbers 13-31, dates Study Guide
- Poems: plural nouns, responding to a poem Study Guide
- Poems: prepositions 'in' and 'auf' (accusative and dative) Study Guide
- Summer plans: contrasting uses of the present tense, 'nächst-' Study Guide
- Summer plans: present tense (future meaning) 1st person, 'nächst-' Study Guide
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