verb
zuvorkommen
preempt · anticipate
Jemandem etwas Gutes tun, bevor die Person darum bitten muss.
Definition & meaning
The verb zuvorkommen has two primary meanings:
- To anticipate or beat someone to something: This means to do something before someone else has the chance to do it, often to prevent them from acting or to gain an advantage. For example, if you finish a task before a colleague asks you to, you have anticipated their request.
- To prevent something: It can also mean to stop an event from happening by taking action beforehand, essentially "nipping it in the bud."
Grammar & Word origin
- Grammar: It is a separable verb (trennbare Verben). When conjugated in a sentence, the prefix zuvor- moves to the end of the clause. It requires the dative case for the person being anticipated (e.g., "Ich bin ihm zuvorgekommen").
- Word origin: It is a compound of the adverb zuvor (beforehand/previously) and the verb kommen (to come). Literally, it translates to "to come before."
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms:
- Eilen (in the sense of rushing ahead)
- Vorwegnehmen (to anticipate or forestall)
- Prävenieren (to prevent)
- Verhindern (to prevent, specifically for the second meaning)
Antonyms:
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Examples
Sie muss ihm zuvorkommen, bevor es zu spät ist.verb
She must preempt him before it's too late.
Man sollte den Gästen stets zuvorkommen.verb
One should always anticipate the guests.
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