to approach / go on / close
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to go on
Describes the way something takes place or the general atmosphere in a place. This construction is used impersonally with 'es' (it).
Auf der Party ging es sehr lustig und laut zu.
At the party, things were very funny and loud.
to approach
To move in the direction of a person or thing.
Er sah seine Freundin und ging direkt auf sie zu.
He saw his girlfriend and walked straight toward her.
to reach out
To take the initiative to make contact, improve a relationship, or resolve a conflict.
Nach dem Streit war es wichtig, wieder aufeinander zuzugehen.
After the argument, it was important to reach out to each other again.
to close
To be capable of being closed. Often used in the negative form to say that something does not close properly.
Die alte Holztür geht nur mit viel Kraft zu.
The old wooden door only closes with a lot of force.
'Zugehen' is a separable verb. The prefix 'zu-' appears at the end of the sentence in main clauses. In subordinate clauses, the whole verb stands at the end.
Der Reißverschluss meiner Jacke geht nicht mehr zu.
The zipper on my jacket doesn't close anymore.
To describe an atmosphere, the impersonal expression 'es geht ... zu' is used. The word that describes the atmosphere, usually an adverb, stands between 'geht' and 'zu'.
Bei der Familienfeier ging es immer sehr fröhlich zu.
At the family celebration, things were always very cheerful.
When 'zugehen' describes movement or making contact, it is always used with the preposition 'auf' and the accusative.
Der Hund ging freundlich auf die Kinder zu.
The dog approached the children in a friendly way.
The expression 'auf jemanden zugehen' can be meant literally, as in moving toward someone, or figuratively, as in making contact. The context of the situation—whether it is about physical movement or social interaction—makes the difference clear.
Ich sah ihn am anderen Ende der Straße und ging auf ihn zu.
I saw him at the other end of the street and walked toward him.
In the meaning of 'sich schließen' (to close), the verb is very often used in negative sentences to describe that a mechanism is not working. Typical objects are doors, windows, buttons, or zippers.
Dieser Knopf an meinem Hemd geht einfach nicht zu.
This button on my shirt just won't close.
to go there
Hingehen generally refers to going to a specific destination and emphasizes the destination of the movement. Auf jemanden oder etwas zugehen, on the other hand, emphasizes moving toward someone or something. When referring to a person, both are possible, but zugehen focuses more strongly on the path toward that person.
Ich gehe jetzt auf die Frau am Empfang zu und spreche sie an.
I'm walking up to the woman at reception now and speaking to her.
Ich gehe jetzt zu der Frau am Empfang hin und frage sie nach dem Termin.
I'm going over to the woman at reception now and asking her about the appointment.
