can you explain the use of ZU

In one of the earlier lessons, you say that ZU TRINKEN means to drink. Ich will etwas Warmes __zu trinken__. I want something hot to drink. However I thought the the word TRINKEN alone actually meant 'TO DRINK' (Including the 'TO') therefore I was a bit confused about the need for ZU it seems that I am saying 'TO TO DRINK'. In a later lesson the phrase 'zu spät' is used to mean 'TOO LATE' SO in the first instance ZU = To. In the second instance ZU = TOO. Is that correct or have I missed something. :?

Hi Ken, I'm glad you are asking this question, because I'm sure that many are wondering about that. "Trinken" means to drink. "Trinken" is the basic form of the word *to drink*, the so called Infinitive. "Zu" can have different meanings depending on the context. "Zu" can mean *closed*, as in "Das Fenster ist zu", *the window is closed*. It can also mean *too* as in "zu spät, *too late* or *to *as in "Ich gehe zu meiner Freundin", *I'm going to my friends place.* Depending on the article (articles: "the" or "a" or "an" in English) that follows "zu" can also be "zum" (zu + dem) or "zur" (zu + der). You see it's a very versatile little word (or just a very frustrating one!!). "Zu" (as it is used in the audio lesson) is called a preposition. Some prepositions are followed by the Dative Case and "zu" is one of them. You can find a lesson about the Dative Case in the Rocket German Grammar Guide. I hope that this is not more confusing. Let me know if you want me to explain it in more details and I will be more than happy to do so. :D [/i]