der Zweck, -e
purpose
Das ist der Grund, warum man etwas macht oder warum etwas existiert.
Definition & meaning
Zweck means the purpose, aim, or intended function of something.
-
Purpose or aim
It describes what someone wants to achieve or why something is done.- Der Zweck dieser Regel ist mehr Sicherheit. — “The purpose of this rule is greater safety.”
- Zu welchem Zweck wurde das gemacht? — “For what purpose was this done?”
-
Use or function
It can also refer to the practical function or usefulness of an object.- Dieses Werkzeug erfüllt seinen Zweck. — “This tool serves its purpose.”
- Der Raum dient keinem bestimmten Zweck. — “The room serves no particular purpose.”
The expression der Zweck heiligt die Mittel means “the ends justify the means.”
Grammar & Word origin
- Gender: masculine: der Zweck
- Plural: die Zwecke
- Genitive: des Zwecks or des Zweckes
- Typical grammatical patterns:
- der Zweck von etwas — the purpose of something
- zu einem Zweck — for a purpose
- zu diesem Zweck — for this purpose
The word originally referred to a pointed object, such as a nail or tip. Its meaning developed from a physical point or end to an intended goal or purpose.
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms
- das Ziel — “goal” or “objective”; usually emphasizes the result one wants to reach, whereas Zweck emphasizes the reason or function behind an action.
- die Absicht — “intention”; focuses more on a person’s plan or intention than on the function of an object or action.
- der Sinn — “meaning” or “point”; often asks whether something is meaningful or reasonable, while Zweck refers more directly to its intended function.
- der Nutzen — “benefit” or “usefulness”; emphasizes the advantage gained rather than the intended purpose.
Antonyms
- die Zwecklosigkeit — “purposelessness,” the absence of a purpose.
- die Sinnlosigkeit — “meaninglessness” or “pointlessness”; stronger than simply having no practical purpose.
Common phrases & collocations
Make “Zweck” part of your vocabulary.
Build your German vocabulary with flashcards, audio and spaced repetition.
Examples
Der Zweck dieser Veranstaltung ist es, Menschen zusammenzubringen.noun
The purpose of this event is to bring people together.
Der Zweck dieses Projekts ist es, neue Lösungen zu finden.noun
The purpose of this project is to find new solutions.
Zu welchem Zweck benötigen wir diese Informationen?noun
For what purpose do we need this information?
Zu diesem Zweck treffen wir uns heute.noun
For this purpose, we are meeting today.
Ein Zweck dieser Übung ist das Sprachverständnis zu verbessern.noun
One purpose of this exercise is to improve language comprehension.
Der Zweck heiligt die Mittel.noun
The purpose justifies the means.
Keep exploring German
Learn words from the content you love.
Add words from websites, books and videos, then remember them with spaced repetition (SRS).
Scan for iPhone & iPad