German · B2 · Everyday language
One more reason it makes sense in German
Use zumal (“especially since”) to add a particularly relevant supporting reason to a suggestion or explanation. It strengthens your point without needing a long argument. Zumal introduces a subordinate clause with the finite verb at the end.
What you'll learn
- Add a thoughtful supporting reason with zumal.
- Place the finite verb at the end of a zumal clause.
- Distinguish an extra, especially relevant reason with zumal from a basic reason with weil.
German phrases for one more reason it makes sense
Nehmen wir den kürzeren Weg, zumal dein Knöchel immer noch wehtut.
Let's take the shorter route, especially since your ankle still aches.
Zumal adds the sore ankle as a particularly relevant reason; wehtut comes last.
Ich würde den Kassenbon aufheben, zumal der Reißverschluss schwergängig ist.
I'd keep the receipt, especially since the zip feels stiff.
Schwergängig describes something that is difficult to move or operate. The zumal clause ends in ist.
Wir können die Frage bis morgen aufschieben, zumal wir beide müde sind.
We can leave that question until tomorrow, especially since we're both tired.
The shared tiredness supports postponing the question; sind comes last.
Es lohnt sich, noch einmal nachzufragen, zumal sich die Anweisungen geändert haben.
It's worth asking again, especially since the instructions have changed.
In geändert haben, the finite verb haben comes at the very end of the zumal clause.
Ich würde lieber drinnen üben, zumal der Boden rutschig ist.
I'd rather practise indoors, especially since the ground is slippery.
Zumal presents the slippery ground as extra support for the preference.
Buchen wir im Voraus, zumal gerade Schulferien sind.
Let's book ahead, especially since it's half-term.
Schulferien is a natural general rendering here: German has no single nationwide equivalent of the British half-term break.
Du kannst ihrem Rat vertrauen, zumal sie beide Methoden ausprobiert hat.
You can trust her advice, especially since she's tried both methods.
Her experience adds weight to the advice. The finite verb hat follows ausprobiert.
Wir sollten mehr Zeit einplanen, zumal wir noch nie dort waren.
We should allow extra time, especially since we've never been there.
Zumal highlights unfamiliarity with the place as an extra reason to allow more time.
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Try it free for 7 daysKey words
der Weg, die Wege
route; path; way
Den kürzeren Weg nehmen means “to take the shorter route.”
der Knöchel, die Knöchel
ankle
Used here for the aching ankle.
der Kassenbon, die Kassenbons
receipt; till receipt
Einen Kassenbon aufheben means “to keep a receipt.”
der Reißverschluss, die Reißverschlüsse
zip; zipper
Ein schwergängiger Reißverschluss is a zip that is stiff or hard to move.
die Frage, die Fragen
question
Eine Frage aufschieben means to leave it for later.
die Anweisung, die Anweisungen
instruction; direction
Often used in the plural for instructions about what to do.
der Boden, die Böden
ground; floor
Rutschig means “slippery.”
die Schulferien (plural only)
school holidays; school break
A general term; the exact holiday dates and names vary by region.
der Rat, die Ratschläge
advice
Rat is normally uncountable in this sense; use Ratschläge for individual pieces of advice.
die Methode, die Methoden
method
Eine Methode ausprobieren means “to try out a method.”
die Zeit, die Zeiten
time
Used uncountably in mehr Zeit einplanen: “to allow more time.”
Zumal: an especially relevant extra reason
Use zumal when a reason adds particular weight to a suggestion, judgement or decision. Other reasons may be understood rather than stated. It often sounds thoughtful and slightly more formal than everyday weil.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Supporting reason | Statement or suggestion, zumal + supporting reason. | Wir sollten mehr Zeit einplanen, zumal wir noch nie dort waren. |
| Basic reason with weil | weil = because: gives a reason directly | Ich übe drinnen, weil der Boden rutschig ist. |
| Extra weight with zumal | zumal = especially since: reinforces the point | Ich würde lieber drinnen üben, zumal der Boden rutschig ist. |
Comma and clause-final verb
For this supporting use, put the zumal clause after the main statement and separate it with a comma. The finite verb—the verb showing person and tense—goes at the end. When the clause has more than one verb part, the finite verb follows the other part.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| One verb | zumal + subject + other information + finite verb | …, zumal wir beide müde sind. |
| More than one verb part | zumal + subject + other information + participle + finite verb | …, zumal sie beide Methoden ausprobiert hat. |
| Avoid main-clause order | zumal wir beide müde sind — not: zumal wir sind beide müde | Wir können die Frage bis morgen aufschieben, zumal wir beide müde sind. |
More examples
Machen wir eine Pause, zumal du schon lange lernst.
Let's take a break, especially since you've been studying for a long time.
The time spent studying gives extra weight to the suggestion; lernst comes last.
Wir können das Buch zusammen lesen, zumal dich das Thema interessiert.
We can read the book together, especially since you're interested in the topic.
Zumal adds a positive supporting reason rather than an objection.
Wir sollten etwas zu trinken mitnehmen, zumal es heute sehr warm ist.
We should take something to drink, especially since it's very warm today.
The warm weather makes an already sensible suggestion especially relevant.