vor
/foːr/
The German word for 'before' is vor.
vor is used as a preposition to indicate being in front of a physical location or happening in advance of a specific time or event.
Meaning: in advance of the time when (conj)
Which one should you use?
While vor is a preposition used before a noun, you should use bevor as a conjunction to introduce a subordinate clause (for example, 'before I go'). If you want to say 'beforehand' or 'previously' as an adverb without a noun following it, use vorher or zuvor.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When you use vor as a preposition of place or time, it requires the dative case.
How do you pronounce it?
/foːr/
Did you know?
- The word vor appears in the common idiom vor die Hunde gehen, which literally means to 'go before the dogs' but actually means to go to ruin or fail miserably.
- The German language uses vor to express a cause of an involuntary reaction, such as vor Kälte frieren meaning to freeze 'before' cold.
- In German, vor is used in the phrase vor Angst zittern, meaning to tremble 'before' fear. This describes an emotional state as if the person is standing physically in front of the emotion.
Examples in context
- Kein Bier vor vier!No beer before four!This sentence uses vor to express a time constraint.Tatoeba #539273 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #539275 by FeuDRenais2
- Tom war vor uns da.Tom was there before we were.This sentence uses vor to indicate a person was present at an earlier time than others.Tatoeba #10033993 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #10033715 by CK
- Er steht vor der Tür.He's standing before the door.This sentence uses vor to describe a physical location in front of an object.Tatoeba #725505 by Dejo, translation #974182 by FeuDRenais2
- Sven hat den Bericht vorher gelesen.Sven read the report beforehand.
- Ich habe das Buch vor dem Meeting gelesen.I read the book before the meeting.
- Ich rufe dich an, bevor ich einkaufen gehe.I'll call you before I go shopping.
- Ich muss vorm Abendessen schnell noch duschen.I need to quickly shower before dinner.
- Wir sollten den Termin vorher bestätigen.We should confirm the appointment beforehand.
- Bevor ich zur Arbeit fahre, trinke ich immer einen Kaffee.Before I go to work, I always have a cup of coffee.
- Das passierte vor dem Unfall.That happened before the accident.
- Er hat das Buch schon vor dem Urlaub gekauft.He already bought the book before the vacation.
- 1281 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Julia and Maximilian are discussing their plans for dinner.
- JuliaKommst du vor dem Essen zu mir?Are you coming to my place before the meal?
- MaximilianJa, ich bin vor sieben Uhr da.Yes, I will be there before seven o'clock.
- JuliaSuper, wir können vor dem Abendessen reden.Great, we can talk before dinner.
- MaximilianDas passt mir sehr gut, Julia.That works very well for me, Julia.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry vor, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
