German word

vorab

Pronunciation

IPA/foːɐ̯ˈap/

Meaning

  • adverbin advance

Example

Bitte senden Sie mir vorab die Unterlagen.

Please send me the documents in advance.

Illustration for vorab (in advance)

More examples

Teilen Sie mir vorab wichtige Änderungen mit.

Please let me know about important changes in advance.

Core concept

Information sent ahead so the recipient already has it when the main action starts.

Common phrases

  • vorab mitteilen

    inform in advance

  • vorab prüfen

    check in advance

Similar words

vorher: At an earlier time, often referring to what happened just before.
zuvor: Before another event or action took place.
schon: Already in a certain state or condition at that time.
bereits: Already in a certain state or condition by that time.

Definition in German

Ein Adverb, das etwas zeitlich vor einem anderen Ereignis oder einer Handlung setzt.

Word origin

Vorab combines vor, meaning 'before', with ab, an element associated with moving away or separating, and forms an adverb meaning beforehand.

Usage tips

  • Vorab is especially common in formal and business communication, while vorher is usually more neutral in everyday speech.

Opposites

Related words

  • Vorabinformationadvance informationnoun
  • Vorabzahlungadvance paymentnoun

Word lists with this word