Ways to say it
| German | IPA |
|---|---|
| vor | /foːr/ |
| her | /heːr/ |
In German, "ago" is expressed using two different structures depending on whether you are placing the word before or after a time period. You can use vor as a preposition before a time period, such as in the phrase vor zwei Tagen (two days ago). Alternatively, you can use her as an adverb or postposition after a time period or at the end of a clause, such as in Das ist lange her (That was a long time ago). Additionally, the term vorhin can be used to mean "a while ago" or "just now".
Which one should you use?
vor is used as a preposition placed before a time expression (e.g., vor zwei Jahren), while her is used as an adverb placed after the time period or at the end of a clause (e.g., Das ist lange her).
How does it change in a sentence?
When using vor to mean "ago", the time period that follows it must be in the dative case, such as in the expression vor einem Monat (a month ago).
How do you pronounce it?
/foːr/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use vor at the end of a sentence as you would with the English word "ago". In German, vor must always precede the time expression.
Did you know?
- The adverbial her is actually a direction-based word, originally meaning 'towards here' in an ancient sense of movement.
- The English word 'fore', as in 'forehead' or 'forearm', is a distant relative of the German vor.
- The word her in the expression Das ist lange her is not related to the English 'her' used for females.
Examples in context
- Das ist Jahre her.That was years ago.This sentence is useful for practicing the use of her.Tatoeba #10166004 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #442962 by CK
- Es ist zu lange her.It is too long ago.This sentence is useful for expressing that a period of time is too long using her.Tatoeba #1521284 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #914030 by Jane_Austen
- Wie lang ist das her?How long ago was that?This sentence is useful for asking about the duration of a past event using her.Tatoeba #1194781 by BraveSentry, translation #42671 by CK
- vor zwei StundenTwo hours ago
- Vor einer Woche habe ich die Prüfung bestanden.I passed the exam a week ago.
- Ich war vor einer halben Stunde im Kino.I was at the cinema half an hour ago.
- Der Unfall ist zwei Wochen her, aber die Schmerzen sind immer noch da.The accident happened two weeks ago, but the pain is still here.
- Zehn Jahre herTen years ago
- Vor einer Stunde und zehn MinutenAn hour and ten minutes ago
- 1233 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Felix and Sarah are talking about a movie they saw.
- FelixWir haben den Film vor zwei Tagen gesehen.We saw the movie two days ago.
- SarahStimmt, er war wirklich sehr spannend.True, it was really very exciting.
- FelixIch habe ihn vor einem Monat schon einmal gesehen.I had already seen it a month ago.
- SarahDann gefällt er dir sicher immer noch.Then you probably still like it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “ago” translations and entries vor, her, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries her, vor, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
