adverb
vormals
formerly
The German word "vormals" is an adverb meaning "formerly" or "previously". It comes from two parts:
- "vor" meaning "before"
- "mals" related to "times" (from "Mal" meaning "time" or "occasion")
So, "vormals" literally relates to "at earlier times".
Similar words:
- früher (earlier)
- ehemals (formerly, once)
- zuvor (beforehand)
Difference:
- vormals and ehemals both emphasize something in the past, but ehemals often has a slightly more formal or historical tone.
- früher is more commonly used in everyday speech to mean "earlier" or "in the past".
- zuvor specifically means "before" in a temporal sequence, often used when referencing something just preceding another event.
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Examples
Dieses Gebäude war vormals ein Theater.adverb
This building was formerly a theater.
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