German Phrase
Ich hoffe, bald mein eigenes Geschäft aufzumachen.
Meaning
This sentence expresses a personal ambition or future goal regarding entrepreneurship. It uses the verb 'hoffen' (to hope) followed by an infinitive clause with 'zu' to indicate the intended action. The phrase 'ein Geschäft aufmachen' is a common and slightly more approachable way to say 'to start a business' compared to the more formal 'gründen'.
When to use
Use this when discussing career aspirations, personal projects, or future plans during networking or casual conversations. It is perfect for sharing your dreams with friends or potential business partners.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Ich hoffebaldmein eigenes Geschäftaufzumachen
Infinitive Clauses
The verb 'hoffen' (to hope) is typically followed by a 'zu' + infinitive construction to specify what is being hoped for.
Separable Verb Infinitives
In the word 'aufzumachen', the prefix 'auf-' is separated from 'machen' by the 'zu' particle, which is standard for separable verbs in infinitive clauses.
🗨In Conversation
Was sind deine Pläne für die Zukunft?
What are your plans for the future?
Ich hoffe, bald mein eigenes Geschäft aufzumachen.
I hope to open my own business soon.
✕Common Mistakes
Ich hoffe bald mein eigenes Geschäft aufmachen.
Infinitive clauses following 'hoffen' require the 'zu' particle to be grammatically correct.
Ich hoffe, bald mein eigenes Geschäft zu aufmachen.
For separable verbs like 'aufmachen', the 'zu' must be placed between the prefix 'auf' and the root 'machen'.
↔Alternatives
Ich plane, bald ein Unternehmen zu gründen.
I plan to found a company soon.
Ich möchte mich bald selbstständig machen.
I want to become self-employed soon.
Cultural Tip
Starting a business in Germany involves navigating a fair amount of bureaucracy, so mentioning your 'Geschäft' might prompt questions about your 'Businessplan'. While 'Geschäft' often implies a physical shop, it is also used broadly for various types of small business ventures.