German word

Vorwahl

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈfoːɐ̯ˌvaːl/

Meaning

  • feminine nounarea code

Example

In Deutschland sind viele Vorwahlen dreistellig.

In Germany, many area codes are three digits.

Illustration for Vorwahl (area code)

More examples

Beim Telefonieren ins Ausland sollte man die lokale Vorwahl kennen.

When calling abroad, you should know the local area code.

Core concept

A preliminary marker that directs a call to a place or narrows an election before the main decision.

Common phrases

  • die Vorwahl wählen

    dial the area code

  • mit der Vorwahl anrufen

    call using the area code

Similar words

Rufnummer: A telephone number that identifies the person or service being called.
Ortsvorwahl: A regional code used for calls within the same country.
Landesvorwahl: A country code entered at the start of an international call.
Durchwahl: A brief code that routes a call to a particular extension.

Definition in German

Vorangestellte Ziffernfolge bei Telefonanschlüssen, die das Ortsnetz oder das Land kennzeichnet.

Word origin

The word is formed from vor and Wahl, so its two established uses extend the idea of an earlier selection to telephone numbering and preliminary elections.

Usage tips

  • The telephone sense is often specified as Ortsvorwahl for an area code or internationale Vorwahl for a country code, while the political sense means a primary election.

Other meanings

  • country codenoun
  • primary electionnoun

Related words

  • Ortsvorwahllocal area codenoun
  • Landesvorwahlcountry codenoun

Word lists with this word