vorbeugen
prevent
Etwas tun, damit ein Problem oder Schaden gar nicht erst entsteht.
Definition & meaning
vorbeugen has two main meanings:
-
To prevent or take precautions against something, especially a problem, illness, or danger. It commonly takes a dative object:
einer Krankheit vorbeugen — “to prevent an illness” or “to guard against an illness.” -
To bend forward or lean forward. This use often describes a person’s posture:
sich nach vorne beugen — “to bend forward.”
Grammar & word origin
vorbeugen is a separable verb: in a main clause, vor usually moves to the end, as in Sie beugt einer Erkältung vor (“She takes steps to prevent a cold”).
Its principal forms are beugt vor, beugte vor, and hat vorgebeugt. The verb combines vor (“ahead, in advance”) with beugen (“to bend”), giving rise to the sense of acting in advance to prevent something.
Synonyms & antonyms
For the meaning “prevent”:
- verhindern means “to prevent” or “stop” something from happening. It often suggests that the outcome is successfully blocked, whereas vorbeugen emphasizes taking steps beforehand.
- sich schützen means “to protect oneself.” It focuses on protection rather than prevention in general.
- entgegenwirken means “to counteract.” It describes opposing a harmful trend or effect, not necessarily preventing it entirely.
A possible antonym is verursachen , meaning “to cause”—the opposite direction of preventing something.
For the physical meaning “bend forward,” there is no single direct antonym in all contexts. sich aufrichten (“to straighten up”) can describe the reverse movement.
Common phrases & collocations
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Examples
Er will Krankheiten vorbeugen.verb
He wants to prevent diseases.
Wie kannst du möglichen Problemen vorbeugen?verb
How can you prevent possible problems?
Man sollte regelmäßig Sport treiben, um Rückenschmerzen vorzubeugen.verb
One should exercise regularly to prevent back pain.
Durch das Tragen von warmer Kleidung kannst du einer Erkältung vorbeugen.verb
By wearing warm clothing, you can prevent a cold.
Sie versuchten, einem Streit rechtzeitig vorzubeugen, indem sie offen miteinander sprachen.verb
They tried to prevent an argument in time by speaking openly with each other.
Durch eine ausgewogene Ernährung wurde vielen Mangelerscheinungen erfolgreich vorgebeugt.verb
Through a balanced diet many deficiency symptoms were successfully prevented.
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