das Vorhaben
undertaking
A plan or project that someone wants to carry out or bring to fruition.
EXAMPLE
Für dieses Vorhaben brauchen wir mehr Zeit und Geld.
We need more time and money for this undertaking.
das Vorhaben
undertaking / project
das Vorhaben, die Vorhaben
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Meanings
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Vorhaben, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | neuter das |
|---|---|
| plural | die Vorhaben |
| genitive | des Vorhabens |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | das Vorhaben | die Vorhaben |
| accusative | das Vorhaben | die Vorhaben |
| dative | dem Vorhaben | den Vorhaben |
| genitive | des Vorhabens | der Vorhaben |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Word family
'Vorhaben' (undertaking) is the nominalized form of the verb 'vorhaben' (to plan / intend). In the noun, 'vor' and 'haben' remain written together, which shows the connection to a planned goal or project.
EXAMPLE
Ihr Vorhaben ist gut vorbereitet und kann im Frühjahr beginnen.
Their undertaking is well prepared and can begin in the spring.
Typical collocations
The verbs 'planen' (to plan), 'umsetzen' (to implement), 'verwirklichen' (to realize), and 'aufgeben' (to give up) are often used with 'Vorhaben' (undertaking). These combinations show that an undertaking can go through various stages, from planning to completion or abandonment.
EXAMPLE
Das Team will sein Vorhaben noch in diesem Jahr umsetzen.
The team wants to implement its undertaking this year.
With a preposition
When describing what someone is working on, 'an' (on) is often used with the dative: 'an einem Vorhaben arbeiten' (to work on an undertaking). The undertaking itself can also be specified with 'für' (for).
EXAMPLE
Die Ingenieurinnen arbeiten seit Monaten an einem anspruchsvollen Vorhaben.
The engineers have been working on a challenging undertaking for months.
Register and style
'Vorhaben' (undertaking) is a neutral to rather formal word and is especially common in professional, political, and written contexts.
EXAMPLE
Die Gemeinde stellte ihr neues Vorhaben auf einer öffentlichen Sitzung vor.
The municipality presented its new undertaking at a public meeting.
In real life
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