German word

vorbeikommen

Pronunciation

IPA/foːɐ̯ˈbaɪ̯ˌkɔmən/

Meaning

  • verbcome by

Example

Kommst du morgen bei mir vorbei?

Will you come by my place tomorrow?

Illustration for vorbeikommen (come by)

More examples

Magst du später auf einen Kaffee vorbeikommen?

Would you like to come by for a coffee later?

Core concept

Someone takes a route near a place and adds a short stop before carrying on.

Common phrases

  • bei Freunden vorbeikommen

    come by friends' places

  • auf einen Kaffee vorbeikommen

    come by for a coffee

  • auf dem Rückweg vorbeikommen

    come by on the way back

Similar words

vorbeischauen: Dropping in briefly at a home or shop to show one's face.
vorbeigehen: Walking past a place without stopping there.
vorbeifahren: Passing a place by car or bicycle.
besuchen: Going to someone's home or a place to spend time there.

Definition in German

kurz an einem Ort erscheinen, um jemanden zu sehen oder etwas zu erledigen

Word origin

The verb joins the adverb vorbei, formed from vor and bei, with kommen, an inherited Germanic verb related to English come.

Usage tips

  • Vorbeikommen usually suggests a brief, informal stop, whereas besuchen more often presents the visit itself as the main activity.

Other meanings

  • pass byverb
  • show upverb

Opposites

Related words

  • das Vorbeikommencoming bynoun

Word lists with this word