German word

vorbeugen

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈfoːɐ̯ˌbɔɪ̯gn̩/

Meaning

  • verbprevent

Example

Gute Hygiene beugt Infektionen vor.

Good hygiene prevents infections.

Illustration for vorbeugen (prevent)

More examples

Klare Absprachen beugen im Team Missverständnissen vor.

Clear agreements within the team prevent misunderstandings.

Core concept

A precaution is placed in the path of illness or damage before it can arrive.

Common phrases

  • einer Krankheit vorbeugen

    prevent a disease

  • Missverständnissen vorbeugen

    prevent misunderstandings

  • Konflikten vorbeugen

    prevent conflicts

Similar words

verhindern: Prevent an unwanted event from actually taking place.
vermeiden: Avoid an action or situation so that its result does not occur.
schützen: Protect a person or thing against danger or damage.
hindern: Block someone or something from proceeding or carrying on.

Definition in German

durch gezielte Maßnahmen verhindern, dass Schaden oder Krankheit eintritt

Word origin

The verb is formed from the prefix vor- and beugen, whose basic sense is to bend; the compound connects acting ahead with preventing a bad result.

Usage tips

  • The thing prevented is expressed in the dative, as in einer Krankheit vorbeugen, not with the accusative used by many English learners after prevent.

Other meanings

  • lean forwardverb

Opposites

Related words

  • Vorbeugungpreventionnoun
  • vorbeugendpreventiveadjective
  • Vorbeugemaßnahmepreventive measurenoun

Word lists with this word