der Vorrang, ¨-e

Meaning (in English)

Vorrang means priority or precedence—the right or fact of being dealt with before others.

Common uses:

• Traffic/law: the right of way (who may go first).
• General: something that has higher priority than something else.

Parts (word formation)

• vor- = before, in front
• Rang = rank, position So Vorrang literally suggests a “rank in front” → being first / having priority.

Multiple meanings / main contexts

1. Priority / precedence (general)

   • Etwas hat Vorrang. = Something takes priority.
   • Vorrang haben vor = to take precedence over

2. Right of way (traffic, rules)

   • Vorfahrt haben is more common in everyday traffic language, but Vorrang is frequent in formal rules/signs and legal phrasing (e.g., Vorrang für Fußgänger).

German synonyms

• Priorität
• Vorrecht (often “privilege/right”)
• Vortritt (often formal; “precedence/right to go first”)
• (traffic-specific) Vorfahrt

German antonyms

• Nachrang (subordinate priority)
• Rangfolge hinten / hinter jemandem zurückstehen (to be behind in priority; phrased)
• Gleichrang (equal rank; not an opposite but contrasts with having priority)