German word

dazu

Pronunciation

IPA/daˈt͡suː/

Meaning

  • adverbbesides

Example

Es regnet, und dazu ist es noch kalt.

It's raining, and on top of that, it's cold.

Illustration for dazu (besides)

More examples

Der Mantel ist schön, und der Schal passt dazu.

The coat is beautiful, and the scarf goes with it.

Core concept

A thread ties a new detail to the matter already on the table, whether the detail adds to it or concerns it.

Common phrases

  • dazu passen

    go with it

  • dazu gehören

    belong to it

Similar words

außerdem: Adds further information or a reason to what has been said.
auch: Shows that the same fact or quality applies too.
ebenfalls: Indicates politely that the same situation applies there as well.
noch dazu: Adds another feature or problem, often with added emphasis.

Definition in German

Kennzeichnet entweder eine Ergänzung zu einer Aussage oder bezieht sich direkt auf das zuvor Gesagte, je nach Satzkontext.

Word origin

Dazu is formed from German da, referring to something mentioned, and zu, meaning 'to' or 'toward', and developed from older forms such as Middle High German dazû.

Usage tips

  • In 'Es regnet, und dazu ist es kalt', dazu means 'on top of that'; it does not normally mean 'apart from' in the sense of English 'besides'.

Other meanings

  • about thatadverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word