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German Phrase

Ich brauche Expertenrat, um weiterzumachen.

/ɪç ˈbraʊ̯xə ɛksˈpɛʁtn̩ˌʁaːt ʊm ˈvaɪ̯tɐtsuˌmaxn̩/
Meaning"I need expert advice to continue."
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Meaning

This phrase directly translates to "I need expert advice to continue." It expresses a clear requirement for specialized knowledge or guidance to proceed with a task, project, or decision. The "um...zu" construction indicates purpose, meaning the advice is specifically needed for the act of continuing.

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When to use

Use this phrase in professional or academic settings when you've hit a roadblock and require specialized knowledge to move forward. It's suitable for formal requests to colleagues, supervisors, or mentors, indicating that you've exhausted your own resources and need external expertise.

✦Grammar Breakdown

IchbraucheExpertenrat,umweiterzumachen

1

Ich brauche

"Ich brauche" means "I need." "Brauchen" is a regular verb, conjugated as "ich brauche," "du brauchst," "er/sie/es braucht," etc. It takes a direct object in the accusative case.

2

Expertenrat

"Expertenrat" is a compound noun meaning "expert advice." It's masculine (der Rat) and in this context, it's the direct object of "brauchen," so it's in the accusative case.

3

um...zu + Infinitiv

The "um...zu + Infinitiv" construction is used to express purpose or intention. It translates to "in order to" or simply "to" in English. The "zu" always precedes the infinitive verb.

4

weitermachen

"Weitermachen" is a separable verb meaning "to continue" or "to carry on." In the "um...zu" construction, the "zu" is inserted between the separable prefix "weiter-" and the verb stem "machen," forming "weiterzumachen."

🗨In Conversation

A

Ich komme bei diesem Projekt nicht weiter.

I can't make progress with this project.

Vielleicht brauchst du Expertenrat, um weiterzumachen?

Maybe you need expert advice to continue?

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Ich brauche Expertenrat, für weiterzumachen.

    The "um...zu" infinitive construction is used to express purpose, not "für".

  • Ich brauche Expertenrat, damit ich weiter mache.

    While grammatically correct, "um weiterzumachen" is more concise and common for expressing purpose with the same subject.

  • Ich brauche Expertenrat, um weitergehen.

    "Weitergehen" usually means "to walk on" or "to proceed physically." "Weiterzumachen" (from "weitermachen") means "to continue doing something" or "to proceed with a task."

↔Alternatives

  • Ich benötige fachmännischen Rat, um fortzufahren.

    I require professional advice to proceed.

  • Ich bräuchte Hilfe von einem Experten, um voranzukommen.

    I would need help from an expert to make progress.

  • Ich komme nicht weiter und brauche professionelle Unterstützung.

    I'm stuck and need professional support.

de

Cultural Tip

Germans generally value directness and precision in communication, especially in professional contexts. This phrase is straightforward and clearly states a need, which is appreciated. It implies that you've already tried to solve the problem yourself and now genuinely require external expertise, rather than just asking for help prematurely.