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vor
/foːɐ̯/
before, in front of
Das Buch liegt vor dem Fenster.
The book is in front of the window.
general
Indicates position in front of something or someone.
Sie steht vor dem Spiegel.
She is standing in front of the mirror.
Can also indicate time (before) in certain contexts.
general
Indicates time before an event or action.
Vor dem Abendessen gehe ich spazieren.
Before dinner, I go for a walk.
Often used with 'dem' to indicate a specific time.
Collocations
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Position vs. Time
Remember that 'vor' can mean both 'in front of' (spatial) and 'before' (temporal). Context usually makes the meaning clear.
Gold Rule
Combining with 'dem'
When referring to a specific time or place, 'vor' is often combined with 'dem' (e.g., 'vor dem Abendessen').
Word Origin
From Middle High German 'vore', from Old High German 'fora', from Proto-Germanic 'fura'.
Usage Notes
Can be used both spatially (position) and temporally (time). Often combined with 'dem' to indicate a specific time or place.
Word Breakdown
vor
before, in front of
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