TOPIC · Prepositions (Präpositionen)

Temporal prepositions: vor, seit, von…bis

A2B1

Learners will be able to correctly use the temporal prepositions "vor," "seit," and "von...bis."

In this lesson, we will learn about the German prepositions of time: "vor," "seit," and "von...bis." These prepositions are often confused by learners. Let's explore their differences and correct usage.

1. Vor

The preposition "vor" is used to describe actions or events that have been completed in the past. It is often used with past tenses (Präteritum, Perfekt, Plusquamperfekt), indicating the duration of time that has passed since the event ended.

Examples:

ExampleTranslation
Ich habe vor zwei Jahren ein Buch gelesen.I read a book two years ago.
Vor einer Woche war ich im Kino.A week ago, I was at the cinema.

2. Seit

The preposition "seit" is used to describe actions that started in the past and continue to the present. It is mainly used with the present tense and indicates how long something has been ongoing.

Examples:

ExampleTranslation
Ich lebe seit drei Jahren in Berlin.I have been living in Berlin for three years.
Er arbeitet seit 2010 in der Firma.He has been working at the company since 2010.

3. Von...bis

"Von...bis" is used when referring to a time period with a clear beginning and end. This preposition can be used with any tense.

Examples:

ExampleTranslation
Ich habe von 9 Uhr bis 11 Uhr einen Termin.I have an appointment from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Die Schule ist von Montag bis Freitag geöffnet.The school is open from Monday to Friday.

4. Special Uses

  • "Vor" can also be used to arrange events in a chronological order:

    • Vor dem Mittagessen mache ich einen Spaziergang.
    • (I take a walk before lunch.)

  • "Seit" can also be used in the past tense to emphasize duration:

    • Ich habe ihn seit Jahren nicht gesehen.
    • (I have not seen him in years.)

  • For specific dates, we use "vom...bis zum":

    • Vom 1. Mai bis zum 3. Mai findet das Festival statt.
    • (The festival takes place from May 1 to May 3.)

Conclusion

Understanding these prepositions is crucial for temporal placement of actions in German. Practice using these prepositions with different tenses to strengthen your skills.