German -ing Forms as Subjects: Using Infinitives with 'zu'
Learn how to express activities as subjects in German using nominalized infinitives and 'zu' infinitives, with examples like 'Schwimmen ist gesund.'
By TheaFirst conversations · Yapr Learn
In English, we often use -ing forms as the subject of a sentence: 'Swimming is good exercise.' German does not have an -ing form. Instead, it uses the infinitive as a noun (das Schwimmen) or an infinitive with 'zu' (zu schwimmen). This lesson teaches you how to put an activity in the subject position in German, focusing on the difference from gerunds after verbs. You will learn the patterns and practice with common examples.
By the end, you can…
- use a nominalized infinitive (e.g., 'Schwimmen') as the subject of a German sentence.
- use an infinitive with 'zu' (e.g., 'Zu schwimmen') as the subject in more formal contexts.
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Schwimmen ist gesund.
Swimming is healthy.
SHVIM-mən ist gə-ZOONT
Nominalized infinitive as subject; common in everyday speech.
Lesen macht Spaß.
Reading is fun.
LEH-zən makht SHPASS
Another nominalized infinitive; note that 'Spaß' is capitalized as a noun.
Zu rauchen ist ungesund.
Smoking is unhealthy.
tsoo ROW-khən ist OON-gə-zoont
Infinitive with 'zu' as subject; more formal or emphatic.
Das Schwimmen im See ist schön.
Swimming in the lake is nice.
das SHVIM-mən im ZAY ist SHURN
Nominalized infinitive with a definite article and prepositional phrase.
Es ist wichtig, regelmäßig zu üben.
It is important to practice regularly.
es ist VIKH-tikh, re-gəl-MAY-sikh tsoo UE-bən
Extraposition with 'es' as placeholder; the 'zu' infinitive is the real subject.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To make an activity the subject, use the nominalized infinitive: 'Schwimmen ist gesund.' This is the most common way. The infinitive is capitalized and treated as a neuter noun. You can also add an article: 'Das Schwimmen ist gesund.' For a more formal tone, use 'zu' + infinitive: 'Zu schwimmen ist gesund.' Both mean 'Swimming is healthy.' Note that the 'zu' infinitive as subject is less common in casual speech.
When to use it
Use the nominalized infinitive in everyday conversation: 'Lesen macht Spaß.' Use the 'zu' infinitive as subject in written or formal contexts, or when you want to emphasize the action: 'Zu rauchen ist ungesund.' If the subject is long, German often prefers an 'es' construction: 'Es ist gesund, jeden Tag zu schwimmen.' Here, 'es' is a placeholder, and the 'zu' infinitive is the logical subject. This avoids a heavy subject at the beginning.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Was machst du gern in deiner Freizeit?
What do you like to do in your free time?vas MAKHST doo gern in DY-nah FRY-tsytSchwimmen ist mein Hobby. Es ist gesund und macht Spaß.
Swimming is my hobby. It is healthy and fun.SHVIM-mən ist myn HOB-ee. es ist gə-ZOONT oont makht SHPASSZu schwimmen ist gut, aber ich finde Lesen auch schön.
Swimming is good, but I find reading nice too.tsoo SHVIM-mən ist goot, AH-ber ikh FIN-də LEH-zən owkh SHURNJa, Lesen ist entspannend. Es ist wichtig, regelmäßig zu lesen.
Yes, reading is relaxing. It is important to read regularly.yah, LEH-zən ist ent-SHPAN-nənt. es ist VIKH-tikh, re-gəl-MAY-sikh tsoo LEH-zənA little context goes a long way
In German, the nominalized infinitive is very common in everyday speech, while the 'zu' infinitive as subject sounds more formal or literary. These structures are used across the German-speaking countries, though regional usage and preferences can vary. For instance, in southern Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, 'Ich freue mich aufs Schwimmen' (with the contracted 'aufs') is common, while in northern Germany 'Ich freue mich auf das Schwimmen' may be preferred. Both are correct.
One thing to watch for
Using an -ing form in German, e.g., 'Swimming ist gesund.'
Try this instead: German does not have an -ing form. Use the nominalized infinitive: 'Schwimmen ist gesund.' or the 'zu' infinitive: 'Zu schwimmen ist gesund.'
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you say 'Reading is fun' in German using a nominalized infinitive?
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Lesen macht Spaß.
The infinitive 'lesen' is capitalized and used as the subject. 'Macht Spaß' is a common phrase meaning 'is fun'. Alternatively, 'Das Lesen macht Spaß' is also correct.
2Translate: 'Smoking is unhealthy.' Use the 'zu' infinitive as subject.
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Zu rauchen ist ungesund.
The 'zu' infinitive 'zu rauchen' acts as the subject. This is more formal than 'Rauchen ist ungesund.' Both are correct, but the 'zu' version emphasizes the action.
3Rewrite the sentence 'Es ist wichtig, jeden Tag zu üben.' without the placeholder 'es'.
Show a sample answer
Jeden Tag zu üben ist wichtig.
The 'zu' infinitive 'jeden Tag zu üben' becomes the subject. This is grammatically correct but sounds more formal. The 'es' construction is more common in everyday speech.
To express an activity as the subject in German, use the nominalized infinitive (e.g., 'Schwimmen') in everyday speech, or the 'zu' infinitive (e.g., 'Zu schwimmen') in formal contexts. Remember that German has no -ing form, so never use 'Swimming' as a subject.
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