um zu
Translation
in order to, so as to, to
Examples
Ich lerne Deutsch, um in Deutschland zu arbeiten.
I'm learning German in order to work in Germany.
Er ging einkaufen, um Essen zu holen.
He went shopping to get food.
Grammar Patterns
um ... zu + infinitive in order to do sth. She is driving to the city in order to shop.
Similar Words
Synonyms: damit (used when the subjects of the main and subordinate clauses are different)
Etymology
A combination of 'um' (for the purpose of) and 'zu' (to), which marks the infinitive. It frames the purpose of an action.
Memory Tips
Think of it as a package: 'um' opens the purpose, and 'zu' + infinitive closes it. 'um...zu' = 'in order to do...'