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German Phrase

Ich habe vor, zehn Tage zu bleiben.

/ɪç ˈhaːbə ˈfoːɐ̯ ˈtseːn ˈtaːɡə tsuː ˈblaɪbn̩/
Meaning"I intend to stay for ten days."
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Meaning

This sentence means ‘I intend to stay for ten days.’ It combines the verb phrase ‘haben vor’ (to intend) with a duration (zehn Tage) and the infinitive ‘zu bleiben’ (to stay). The comma after ‘vor’ is mandatory in written German because the infinitive clause is a subordinate clause.

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When to use

Use this phrase when you want to state a concrete plan or intention that you have already decided on, especially in travel, work assignments, or study stays. It sounds slightly more formal than ‘ich plane…’ and is common in both spoken and written German.

✦Grammar Breakdown

Ichhabe vorzehn Tagezu bleiben

1

haben vor + infinitive

The separable verb ‘haben vor’ expresses intention and is followed by ‘zu’ + infinitive, e.g., ‘ich habe vor, zu bleiben’.

2

zu‑Infinitiv

After ‘haben vor’ the infinitive must be introduced by ‘zu’, which links the intention to the action.

3

Duration with Tage

When talking about a period of time, German uses the noun in the accusative without a preposition, e.g., ‘zehn Tage’.

🗨In Conversation

A

Wie lange willst du in Berlin bleiben?

How long do you want to stay in Berlin?

Ich habe vor, zehn Tage zu bleiben.

I intend to stay for ten days.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Ich habe vor zu bleiben.

    The comma is required before the infinitive clause; without it the sentence is punctuated incorrectly.

  • Ich habe vor, zehn Tage bleiben.

    After ‘haben vor’ the infinitive must be introduced by ‘zu’.

  • Vor habe ich, zehn Tage zu bleiben.

    ‘haben vor’ is a separable verb; the finite verb ‘habe’ stays in second position, and ‘vor’ moves to the end of the main clause.

↔Alternatives

  • Ich plane, zehn Tage zu bleiben.

    I plan to stay for ten days.

  • Ich will zehn Tage bleiben.

    I want to stay for ten days.

  • Ich beabsichtige, zehn Tage zu bleiben.

    I intend/aim to stay for ten days.

de

Cultural Tip

In German, ‘haben vor’ conveys a slightly more deliberate, pre‑thought intention than ‘wollen’ (to want) or ‘planen’ (to plan). It is often used in formal contexts such as business meetings or when discussing travel itineraries. Remember to place the comma after ‘vor’; omitting it is considered a spelling error in standard German.