Where people go: 'zu' vs 'nach', present tense (future meaning)
Learning outcomes
I understand the different uses of 'nach' and 'zu' meaning 'to' and can use them to say where people are going.
I can use my knowledge of phonics to correctly pronounce places in German-speaking countries.
Where people go: 'zu' vs 'nach', present tense (future meaning)
Learning outcomes
I understand the different uses of 'nach' and 'zu' meaning 'to' and can use them to say where people are going.
I can use my knowledge of phonics to correctly pronounce places in German-speaking countries.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Vocabulary and transcripts for this lessons
Key learning points
- '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'.
Keywords
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 misconception
'Zu' always means 'to'.
'Zu' can also mean 'too', 'closed', 'off' and 'shut'! Context is important when translating into English.
To help you plan your year 7 german lesson on: Where people go: 'zu' vs 'nach', present tense (future meaning), download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 7 german lesson on: Where people go: 'zu' vs 'nach', present tense (future meaning), download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
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