wozu
what for
Asks about the purpose or benefit of an action, thing, or person; for what purpose or what for.
EXAMPLE
Wozu brauchst du diesen Schlüssel?
What do you need this key for?
wozu
what for / why
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Meanings
wozu
to which
Introduces a relative clause and refers to something mentioned previously; means “to which” or “to what.”
EXAMPLE
Sie hat mir beim Umzug geholfen, wozu sie gar nicht verpflichtet war.
She helped me move, even though she was not obligated to do so.
Usage tips
Word formation
“Wozu” consists of “wo” (where) and “zu” (to). Together, they form an interrogative adverb that primarily asks about the purpose or function of something.
EXAMPLE
Wozu ist diese Taste da?
What is this button for?
Word order
In a direct question, “wozu” usually comes at the beginning, followed by the conjugated verb. In an indirect question, the conjugated verb comes at the end of the subordinate clause.
EXAMPLE
Wozu brauchst du die Taschenlampe?
What do you need the flashlight for?
Ich weiß nicht, wozu du die Taschenlampe brauchst.
I don't know what you need the flashlight for.
Typical collocations
“Wozu” frequently occurs with verbs and expressions that express a purpose or benefit, such as “brauchen” (to need), “dienen” (to serve), and “gut sein” (to be good for) or “nützlich sein” (to be useful).
EXAMPLE
Wozu dient dieses Programm?
What is this program for?
In real life
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