Hallo zusammen! 👋
If you’re a German language learner, you have probably come across this question: When to use zu and when to use nach when talking about direction or location in German?
This blog will help you understand the difference between these prepositions. 📚📝
Explanation:
Using zu:
We use zu to talk about specific places, people, or objects. It is used when we want to say that we are moving towards a defined point.
For example:
Ich gehe zu meiner Freundin. (I am going to my friend.) 👭
Wir fahren zu dem Supermarkt. (We are driving to the supermarket.) 🛒
Using Nach:
We use nach for geographical locations, such as cities and countries.
It is used when we want to say that we are moving towards a general area or larger destination.
For example:
Ich fahre nach Berlin. (I am driving to Berlin.) 🚗
Wir reisen nach Deutschland. (We are traveling to Germany.) ✈️
Summary:
To distinguish between zu and nach:
- Use zu for specific places, people, or objects. 📍
- Use nach for geographical locations like cities and countries. 🌎
Extra Examples:
Here are some extra examples to help you practice:
A- Ich gehe nach Hause. (I am going home.) 🏠 – General area
B- Wir fliegen nach Spanien. (We are flying to Spain.) 🌍 – Geographical location
C- Er fährt zu der Schule. (He is driving to the school.) 🏫 – Specific place
To reinforce what you’ve just read, check out our engaging video below! 🎥👇
