01
zu sechst
in a group of six
Describes a group consisting of six people.
example
Wir waren zu sechst im Urlaub und haben uns ein großes Ferienhaus geteilt.
There were six of us on vacation, and we shared a large holiday house.
sechst
six
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Meanings
Usage tips
Fixed expression
The word 'sechst' is used almost exclusively in the fixed expression 'zu sechst' (in a group of six / six of us). It describes a group of six people and is not declined like an adjective.
EXAMPLE
Wir sind zu sechst in den Urlaub gefahren.
There were six of us going on vacation.
Word-formation pattern
'Zu sechst' follows a pattern for group numbers: 'zu' + cardinal number + '-t'. This pattern also works for other numbers, for example 'zu dritt' (three people / in a group of three) or 'zu viert' (four people / in a group of four).
EXAMPLE
Wir waren zu viert, aber dann kamen noch zwei Freunde dazu, also waren wir zu sechst.
There were four of us, but then two more friends joined, so there were six of us.
Typical verbs
The expression 'zu sechst' is often combined with verbs that describe a shared activity. Typical examples are 'sein' (to be), 'reisen' (to travel), 'spielen' (to play), or 'arbeiten' (to work).
EXAMPLE
Wir haben das Projekt zu sechst im Büro bearbeitet.
The six of us worked on the project in the office.
Compare with
sechst vs sechs
six
'sechs' and 'zu sechst' both have to do with the number 6, but they are used differently. 'sechs' simply names the number: 'sechs Bücher' (six books), 'sechs Personen' (six people), 'sechs Uhr' (six o'clock). 'zu sechst' describes a group of six people doing something together. Learners may confuse the forms because both sound like the same number. Memory tip: for the quantity, use 'sechs'; for a group of people doing an action, use 'zu sechst'.
sechst
Die Familie geht heute zu sechst einkaufen.
The family is going shopping as a group of six today.
sechs
Im Bus sitzen sechs Kinder aus der Klasse.
There are six children from the class sitting on the bus.
In real life
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