"zu" before the last verb

[Duebner]

This is a question for you german speakers out there!

How do I know when to use 'zu' before the last verb in a sentence?

For example:
Ich lerne zu lesen. (I learn to read)

Is that right?


Which of these is right:
Was möchtest du tun? oder Was möchtest du zu tun? (What would you like to do)

Does 'zu' just replace 'to' in English?

Any insight would help!

[Keswick (Contributor)]

This is a question for you german speakers out there!

How do I know when to use 'zu' before the last verb in a sentence?

For example:
Ich lerne zu lesen. (I learn to read)

Is that right? Yes it is.


Which of these is right:
Was möchtest du tun? oder Was möchtest du zu tun? (What would you like to do)
Was möchtest du tun? is correct.

Does 'zu' just replace 'to' in English?

Any insight would help!

Quite a difficult question. If you have a verb that you want to describe further you can do that by using the nominative or a second verb. Example:

Ich lerne das Lesen. (Nominativ)
Ich lerne zu lesen. (Verb)

In contrast to the English "to", you can leave the "zu" out, for example "Ich lerne lesen". Or

Ich lerne Auto zu fahren or Ich lerne Autofahren.

So yes, "zu" can be compared to the English "to".