zulaufen

Zulaufen is a German verb meaning to run toward or to approach something or someone. It combines the verb laufen (to run) with the directional prefix zu-, signaling movement toward a target. The term is used for literal physical motion as well as for figurative developments that move toward a certain outcome or moment.

Usage notes contribute to its meaning. For literal movement, common constructions include auf etwas zulaufen, meaning to run toward something, as in Die Läufer laufen auf das Ziel zu. When referring to people or animals, you may encounter forms that describe approaching someone, for example through the sense of moving toward a person. In figurative use, zulaufen can describe events or negotiations that are approaching a conclusion or a resolution, for instance Die Verhandlungen laufen auf eine Einigung zu. The sense is always directional, emphasizing progression toward a specified end.

Grammatical information is typically included in standard German grammar references: zulaufen is a prefix verb that behaves like other separable-prefix verbs, with its particle appearing in sentence positions that emphasize direction. The exact word order in sentences varies with tense and structure, but the core idea remains the same: movement toward a target or goal, whether concrete or abstract. Related terms include näherkommen, sich annähern, and auf etwas zusteuern.

Etymology traces zulaufen to laufen with the prefix zu-, reflecting a compounding of movement toward a destination.