The idea
Use für plus accusative before a recipient or noun purpose. Use um ... zu for the same person's goal; use damit when a different subject must be stated.
One contrast, not a prediction about every learner
Spanish para can introduce a recipient or purpose, among other meanings. German often uses für with a noun phrase and um ... zu with an infinitive purpose sharing the main clause's subject; this is a contextual choice, not a universal one-word translation.
Individual experience, dialect and other languages you know can change which comparisons help. Use the contrast to notice a German choice; do not treat it as a label for a whole group of people.
Repair the transfer
Ich lerne für die Prüfung bestehen.Ich lerne, um die Prüfung zu bestehen.Use für plus accusative before a recipient or noun purpose. Use um ... zu for the same person's goal; use damit when a different subject must be stated.
Examples
- Diese Unterlagen sind für die neuen Teilnehmer bestimmt.These documents are intended for the new participants.
- Ich übe täglich, um die Aussprache zu verbessern.I practice daily to improve my pronunciation.
- Wir sparen für eine längere Reise im Sommer.We are saving for a longer trip in summer.
- Sie kommt früher, um den Raum vorzubereiten.She comes earlier to prepare the room.
- Ich spreche langsam, damit alle Gäste mich verstehen.I speak slowly so that all the guests understand me.
- Für die gemeinsame Pause bringen wir etwas Obst mit.We bring some fruit for the shared break.
Read-aloud uses a synthetic German voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.
No German device voice is available. You can still read the text and use the linked listening resources.
Watch out
Do not generalize a source-language pattern to every German sentence. Use für plus accusative before a recipient or noun purpose. Use um ... zu for the same person's goal; use damit when a different subject must be stated.
Try it yourself
Korrigiere: Ich lerne für die Prüfung bestehen.
Show answer or example answer
Ich lerne, um die Prüfung zu bestehen.
Ich lerne, um die Prüfung zu bestehen. Use für plus accusative before a recipient or noun purpose. Use um ... zu for the same person's goal; use damit when a different subject must be stated.
Ins Deutsche übertragen: These documents are intended for the new participants.
Show answer or example answer
Diese Unterlagen sind für die neuen Teilnehmer bestimmt.
Diese Unterlagen sind für die neuen Teilnehmer bestimmt. Use für plus accusative before a recipient or noun purpose. Use um ... zu for the same person's goal; use damit when a different subject must be stated.
Ins Deutsche übertragen: I speak slowly so that all the guests understand me.
Show answer or example answer
Ich spreche langsam, damit alle Gäste mich verstehen.
Ich spreche langsam, damit alle Gäste mich verstehen. Keep the meaning of the whole sentence while using the German pattern.
Practice round
Answer three questions, then rebuild three German sentences. We keep your score.
Korrigiere: Ich lerne für die Prüfung bestehen.
Ich lerne, um die Prüfung zu bestehen.
Ins Deutsche übertragen: These documents are intended for the new participants.
Diese Unterlagen sind für die neuen Teilnehmer bestimmt.
Ins Deutsche übertragen: I speak slowly so that all the guests understand me.
Ich spreche langsam, damit alle Gäste mich verstehen.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Keep your progress
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Write three German sentences of your own that follow the pattern of “Ich lerne, um die Prüfung zu bestehen.”. Check each one for the Spanish habit this lesson corrects, then read them aloud.