předpona da- (dazu, dafür, darum, darin, dabei)

https://germanlearnerslounge.quora.com/I-dont-understand-the-difference-between-dazu-daf%C3%BCr-darum-darin-and-dabei-Can-anyone-help-me

The difference isn’t the problem, the connection is. As a learner of German who’s run into these words, you should know the prepositions contained: zu, für, um, in, bei. Just the same you can use “dagegen, daran, daneben”, etc.

“da-” (or “dar-” in front of vowels)

You might know “da” as a word you say when you point at something: “Wo ist dein Glas? – “Da.” (pointing at the table). The “da-/dar-” in these words points at the previous sentence:

“Kannst du meine Jacke reparieren?” (Can/Could you repair my jacket?)

– “Darin bin ich nicht gut.” (I’m not good at that)/”Dabei helfe ich gerne.” (I’ll help with that gladly)/”Dazu bin ich zu ungeschickt.” (I’m too clumsy for that.”)

In the first example, “Darin” is the equivalent for “at that” in the English sentence. The prepositions don’t align (which is always very annoying when you learn a new language…), but it fulfils the same purpose. This specific use of “that” works roundabout the same as “da(r)-” in German. The other examples are just the same.

There are exceptions, though. Most notably, “darum” is mostly used like “that’s why”: “Darum brauche ich einen neuen Drucker.” (That’s why I need a new printer.) Also, “dabei” can mean something like “while doing that” or “at the same time”, and sometimes “although/even though”, often in a bit of an annoyed/aggravated/whiny manner:

“Ich bin nach Frankfurt gefahren und habe dabei Rammstein gehört. (I drove to Frankfurt while listening to Rammstein.)

“Der Fleck ist immer noch auf dem Hemd! Dabei habe ich Fleckensalz benutzt!” (There’s still that spot on the shirt, even though I used stain remover!)

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