German word

zuvor

Pronunciation

IPA/tsuˈfoːɐ̯/

Meaning

  • adverbpreviously

Example

Ich habe ihn zuvor gesehen.

I saw him before.

Illustration for zuvor (previously)

More examples

Die Ergebnisse waren zuvor nicht bekannt.

The results were not previously known.

Core concept

A completed event stands on the earlier side of another event in time.

Common phrases

  • schon zuvor

    already previously

  • wie zuvor

    as before

Similar words

vorher: Before the event being discussed took place.
davor: Before that event or point in time.
früher: In an earlier period, often long ago or formerly.
schon: Already true or completed before a stated time.

Definition in German

Drückt aus, dass etwas zuvor schon geschehen oder erledigt wurde; betont oft das Vorhersein im Vergleich zu einer folgenden Handlung.

Word origin

Zuvor developed from the German elements zu and vor, whose older combination expressed an earlier point in time.

Usage tips

  • Zuvor is more common in formal or written German than the everyday adverb vorher.

Other meanings

  • beforeadverb
  • in advanceadverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word