conjunctionpreposition

bevor

before

Dieses Wort zeigt an, dass etwas früher passiert als etwas anderes.

Definition & meaning

bevor is a subordinating conjunction in German used to indicate a temporal sequence. It is translated into English as "before". It is used to connect a subordinate clause to a main clause, indicating that the action in the main clause happens at a time preceding the action in the subordinate clause.

Example: Ich esse, bevor ich gehe. (I eat before I go.)

Grammar & Word origin

bevor is a subordinating conjunction (Subjunktion), which means that it forces the conjugated verb to the very end of the clause.

It is composed of the prefix be- and the preposition vor (before/in front of). Etymologically, it evolved from Middle High German bevor or bevorne. It functions similarly to the preposition vor when used temporally, but while vor is followed by a noun or a dative object, bevor is followed by a full clause with a verb.

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms

ehe (This is a direct synonym, often used in more formal or literary contexts, though perfectly interchangeable in most cases.)

Antonyms

nachdem (This is the direct antonym, meaning "after" or "after that", used to introduce a subordinate clause indicating that something happens subsequently.)