genug...um...zu

Enough to (Genug...um...zu)

Level 4

The construction genug...um...zu translates to 'enough to [do something].' It connects a sufficient condition in the main clause to a resulting action in the infinitive clause.

How It Works

The word genug is an indeclinable particle, meaning it never changes its ending regardless of the case or gender of the noun it modifies.

1. Placement of 'genug':

  • With adjectives or adverbs, genug must follow the word: alt genug (old enough), schnell genug (fast enough).
  • With nouns, genug can come before or after: genug Zeit or Zeit genug (enough time). The position before the noun is more common in modern German.

2. The 'um...zu' Clause:
This is an infinitive construction. The word um introduces the clause, and the verb moves to the very end in its infinitive form, preceded by zu. If the verb is a separable verb, the zu is placed between the prefix and the root (e.g., aufzustehen).

3. Subject Constraint:
You can only use um...zu if the person doing the 'enough' part is the same person doing the 'action' part. If the subjects are different, you must use a dass-clause (e.g., 'He has enough money so that his son can study').

4. Register:
In formal writing, you might occasionally see um omitted (e.g., Er ist alt genug, das zu wissen), but in standard and spoken German, keeping um is the expected norm.

Examples (4)

  1. Er ist alt genug, um allein zu reisen.

    He is old enough to travel alone.

    Word by Word: He is old enough, in order alone to travel.

    Here, 'genug' follows the adjective 'alt'. The subject 'he' is the one who is old and the one who travels.

  2. Wir haben genug Geld, um ein neues Auto zu kaufen.

    We have enough money to buy a new car.

    Word by Word: We have enough money, in order a new car to buy.

    In this case, 'genug' precedes the noun 'Geld'. The infinitive 'kaufen' appears at the end with 'zu'.

  3. Sie spricht deutlich genug, um von jedem verstanden zu werden.

    She speaks clearly enough to be understood by everyone.

    Word by Word: She speaks clearly enough, in order by everyone understood to be.

    This shows the pattern used with an adverb ('deutlich') and a passive infinitive ('verstanden zu werden').

  4. Ich bin fit genug, um den Marathon mitzulaufen.

    I am fit enough to run along in the marathon.

    Word by Word: I am fit enough, in order the marathon with-to-run.

    Note how 'zu' is embedded inside the separable verb 'mitlaufen' (mit-zu-laufen).

Common Mistakes

  • Placing 'genug' before the adjective.

    Er ist genug alt, um zu fahren.
    Er ist alt genug, um zu fahren.

    In German, 'genug' must follow the adjective it modifies, just like English 'old enough'. Do not put it before the adjective.

  • Declining 'genug' like an adjective.

    Ich habe genüges Geld.
    Ich habe genug Geld.

    'Genug' is an indeclinable particle. It never takes endings like -e, -es, or -en.

  • Using 'um...zu' when the subjects of the two clauses are different.

    Ich habe genug Geld, um du ein Eis kaufst.
    Ich habe genug Geld, damit du ein Eis kaufen kannst.

    If the subject of the main clause (I) is different from the subject of the action (you), you cannot use the 'um...zu' infinitive. You must use a 'damit' clause (so that) instead.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

genug...um...zuLevel 4Enough to (Genug...um...zu)

Learn This First

To learn 'genug...um...zu', you first need to understand how infinitive clauses work in German, specifically the 'zu + infinitive' placement. Since this pattern is a variation of the purpose clause 'um...zu', familiarity with that structure is essential. Additionally, knowing how to use adjectives as predicates is necessary because 'genug' usually follows an adjective to set the condition for the following action.

Words in This Pattern

genug