der Zweck
Translation
purpose, aim, objective, point
Examples
Was ist der Zweck dieser Übung?
What is the purpose of this exercise?
Das hat doch keinen Zweck.
That's pointless.
Er verfolgt einen bestimmten Zweck.
He is pursuing a specific purpose.
Der Stuhl erfüllt seinen Zweck.
The chair serves its purpose.
Grammar Patterns
the purpose of sth. Was ist der Zweck von dieser Übung?
to serve its purpose Der alte Stuhl erfüllt noch seinen Zweck.
Similar Words
Synonyms: Ziel (goal), Absicht (intention), Sinn (meaning)
Etymology
Derived from Old High German `zwec`, meaning 'nail' or 'peg'. This came to mean 'target' and later evolved into the abstract sense of 'purpose' or 'aim'.
Memory Tips
Think of the phrase 'for goodness' sake'. 'Sake' is similar to 'Zweck'. The 'k' sound at the end is a good hook.