German word

damit

Pronunciation

IPA/daˈmɪt/

Meaning

  • conjunctionso that

Example

Ich lerne Deutsch, damit ich die Prüfung bestehe.

I'm learning German so that I can pass the exam.

Illustration for damit (so that)

More examples

Ich spare Geld, damit ich nächstes Jahr reisen kann.

I save money so that I can travel next year.

Core concept

A connector points from an action toward a related means, object, or intended result.

Common phrases

  • damit ich

    so that I

  • damit du

    so that you

  • damit wir

    so that we

Similar words

um ... zu: Expresses a purpose with the same subject by using zu plus the infinitive.
weil: Introduces a clause explaining the reason or cause, with the verb at the end.

Definition in German

Einen Nebensatz einleitet und den Zweck oder das Ziel einer Handlung nennt.

Word origin

Middle High German dāmit, from dā 'there' or 'that' plus mit 'with', is the source of modern damit and its purpose-clause use.

Usage tips

  • Adverbial damit can mean 'with it' or 'by that means', so context distinguishes this use from the conjunction that introduces a purpose clause.

Other meanings

  • therebyadverb
  • with itadverb

Word lists with this word