The destination's type and the intended activity help choose between nach, zu and in.
The idea
Nach usually precedes cities and countries without articles. Zu takes dative and often leads to people or services. In takes accusative for entry or destinations with articles, as in in die Schweiz.
| Form / Muster | Beispiel / Gegensatz |
|---|---|
| Stadt / Land ohne Artikel | nach Bonn / nach Spanien |
| Person / viele Einrichtungen | zum Arzt / zur Post |
| Innenraum / Land mit Artikel | ins Kino / in die Schweiz |
| feste Wendungen | nach Hause / zu Hause |
Examples
- Wir fahren nach Hamburg.
- Sie reist nach Italien.
- Ich gehe zum Arzt.
- Er fährt zur Arbeit.
- Wir gehen ins Kino.
- Sie fährt in die Schweiz.
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Watch out
Do not use nach for every destination. Compare nach Berlin, zur Ärztin and in die Schweiz; the noun and intended destination determine the pattern.
Try it yourself
Morgen fahre ich ___ Berlin. (nach / zu)
Show answer or example answer
nach
Answer: “nach”. Choose the destination pattern: nach for cities, zu for people, in with article-bearing countries.
Ich gehe ___ Ärztin. (zur / nach)
Show answer or example answer
zur
Answer: “zur”. Choose the destination pattern: nach for cities, zu for people, in with article-bearing countries.
Wir reisen ___ Schweiz. (nach / in die)
Show answer or example answer
in die
Answer: “in die”. Choose the destination pattern: nach for cities, zu for people, in with article-bearing countries.
Practice round
Answer three questions, then rebuild three German sentences. We keep your score.
Morgen fahre ich ___ Berlin. (nach / zu)
Ich gehe ___ Ärztin. (zur / nach)
Wir reisen ___ Schweiz. (nach / in die)
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Write a two-line conversation around “Wir fahren nach Hamburg.”. Use the target expression in your reply and make its intended meaning clear.