Vor vs. Vorher vs. Bevor
Learn the difference between "vor", "vorher", and "bevor" in German, three conjunctions that are often confused.
In German, there are several words that express the concept of "before" or "prior to". Three of the most common are "vor", "vorher" and "bevor".
While they may seem similar at first glance, there are important differences in their usage. In this blog post, we will explore the differences between these three words and when to use them.
Vor
"Vor" is a preposition that can be translated as "before", "in front of", or "ago". As a conjunction, "vor" is used to indicate that one event takes place before another event. The word order is the same as in English, with the subordinate clause coming first and separated from the main clause by a comma.
I will see you before you leave.
We have to finish our work before the deadline.
Vorher
"Vorher" is an adverb that means "beforehand" or "previously". As a conjunction, "vorher" is used to indicate that something happens before a specific point in time. It is often used with the word "als" to indicate that something happened before another event or point in time. The subordinate clause comes first, followed by the main clause.
I had lunch before I met with him.
He studied German for three years before he moved to Berlin.
Bevor
"Bevor" is a conjunction that means "before" or "prior to". It is used to indicate that one event must happen before another event can take place. The word order is the same as in English, with the subordinate clause coming first and separated from the main clause by a comma.
I will finish my work before I leave.
You need to take off your shoes before you come into the house.
Dialogue
vorher vs. bevor
