German - Habits

Ich versuche, nicht zu ___.

I try not to ___.

Meaning: I try not to ___.

When to use: Use this frame to say you avoid a habit or behavior (infinitive after 'zu').

Tip: Beginners sometimes forget to use 'zu' before the infinitive or misplace it with separable verbs.

Ich verbringe jeden Tag etwa ___ Minuten mit ___.

I spend about ___ minutes ___ each day.

Meaning: I spend about ___ minutes ___ each day.

When to use: Use this to describe how much time you spend on a daily activity (first blank = number; use 'mit' + dative).

Tip: Remember to use 'mit' + dative (e.g. 'mit dem Training' or 'mit Lesen'), not 'in' here.

Ich mache das ungefähr ___ Mal pro Woche.

I do that about ___ times a week.

Meaning: I do that about ___ times a week.

When to use: Use this to give an approximate frequency with a number and 'pro Woche' or 'in der Woche'.

Wann ___ du normalerweise?

When do you normally ___?

Meaning: When do you normally ___?

When to use: Use this question to ask about the usual time or situation for an activity (put a conjugated verb or verb phrase in the blank).

Was machst du vor ___?

What do you do before ___?

Meaning: What do you do before ___?

When to use: Use this to ask what someone does immediately before a time or activity (use dative with 'vor').

Ich habe vor Kurzem angefangen, zu ___.

I started ___ recently.

Meaning: I started ___ recently.

When to use: Use this to say a habit or routine is new (infinitive after 'zu').

Ich habe aufgehört, zu ___, weil ___.

I stopped ___ because ___.

Meaning: I stopped ___ because ___.

When to use: Use this to say you ended a habit and give a simple reason (infinitive after 'zu').

Tip: Watch verb placement with separable verbs: 'aufgehört, zu ...' keeps 'zu' with the infinitive.

Zuerst ___ ich, dann ___ ich.

First I ___, then I ___.

Meaning: First I ___, then I ___.

When to use: Use this to sequence actions in your routine with 'zuerst' and 'dann'.

Ich ___ gern, bevor ich ___.

I like to ___ before ___.

Meaning: I like to ___ before I ___.

When to use: Use this to describe a preferred action you do before another activity ('ich' + verb ... 'bevor ich' + verb).

Ich habe nicht viel Zeit für ___.

I don't have much time for ___.

Meaning: I don’t have much time for ___.

When to use: Use this to explain limited time for an activity (use accusative after 'für').

Ich ___, wann immer ich kann.

I ___ whenever I can.

Meaning: I ___ whenever I can.

When to use: Use this to describe doing something whenever opportunity allows (conjugated verb in blank).

Ist ___ Teil deiner Routine?

Is ___ part of your routine?

Meaning: Is ___ part of your routine?

When to use: Use this to ask whether an activity is part of someone's regular routine ('deiner' is informal).