The Basic Difference: “Bevor” vs. “Vorher”
Bevor and vorher both translate to “before” in English, but they serve different grammatical functions and appear in different contexts.
“Bevor” – The Subordinating Conjunction
“Bevor” is a subordinating conjunction. It is used to connect two clauses, specifically to introduce a subordinate clause that describes an action or event that happened before another action or event. In other words, “bevor” links two sentences by showing that one thing happens before another.
Example:
Ich mache meine Hausaufgaben, bevor ich ins Kino gehe.
Translation: I do my homework before I go to the cinema.
In this sentence, “bevor” connects two actions: doing homework and going to the cinema. Notice that “bevor” introduces a subordinate clause, which is why the verb moves to the end of that clause.
“Vorher” – The Adverb
“Vorher” is an adverb. It describes when something happens relative to another event, but it does not connect two clauses. Instead, it stands alone or with a main verb to indicate that something occurred earlier.
Example:
Ich habe meine Hausaufgaben gemacht. Vorher war ich im Supermarkt.
Translation: I did my homework. Before that, I was at the supermarket.
Here, “vorher” refers to an action that took place earlier, but it does not link two clauses. It functions much like “before that” or “previously” in English.
How to Decide Which One to Use
Understanding when to use “bevor” and when to use “vorher” depends on the structure of your sentence:
- Use “bevor” when you want to link two actions or events within one sentence, and you need to show that one happened before the other.
- Use “vorher” when you are referring to an earlier event, usually in a separate sentence, and you do not need to connect two clauses directly.
More Example Sentences
Bevor:
Sie zieht ihre Jacke an, bevor sie nach draußen geht.
Translation: She puts on her jacket before she goes outside.
Vorher:
Sie zieht ihre Jacke an. Vorher hat sie ihre Schuhe angezogen.
Translation: She puts on her jacket. Before that, she put on her shoes.
Common Mistakes and Tips
Many German learners mistakenly use “vorher” where “bevor” should be used and vice versa. To avoid this:
- Check if you need to connect two clauses. If so, use “bevor.”
- If you are simply referring to a previous event, use “vorher.”
- Remember that “bevor” changes the word order in the subordinate clause (the verb goes to the end).
Quick Reference Table
| Word | Type | Usage | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| bevor | Subordinating conjunction | Links two clauses | Ich esse, bevor ich arbeite. |
| vorher | Adverb | Refers to previous event, usually in separate sentence | Ich arbeite. Vorher esse ich. |
Practice Makes Perfect
To master the difference between “bevor” and “vorher,” try creating your own sentences using both words in context. Practice writing and speaking with them. You can also use language learning tools like Talkpal’s AI-powered exercises to reinforce your understanding and get instant feedback on your usage.
Conclusion
In summary, while both “bevor” and “vorher” relate to the idea of “before,” they serve different grammatical functions in German. “Bevor” is a subordinating conjunction used to connect two clauses, whereas “vorher” is an adverb used to refer to an earlier event in a separate sentence. Understanding and practicing these differences will help you speak and write more naturally in German. For more language tips and interactive learning, check out the resources available on the Talkpal AI language learning blog. Happy studying!
