01
vorbei
over
Indicates the end of a period of time, an event, or a state; past, finished.
example
Die schlimmste Zeit ist jetzt vorbei.
The worst time is over now.
vorbei
over / past
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Meanings
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Usage tips
As a separable prefix
'Vorbei' is a very common separable prefix for verbs of movement. In verbs like 'vorbeikommen' (to come by), 'vorbeigehen' (to walk past), or 'vorbeifahren' (to drive past), 'vorbei' indicates the direction: along or past something or someone.
EXAMPLE
Kannst du später kurz bei mir vorbeikommen?
Can you come by my place briefly later?
Fixed combination with 'sein'
To express that something is finished or past, 'vorbei' is almost always used together with the verb 'sein' (to be). The subject is the time period or the event.
EXAMPLE
Endlich ist die Prüfung vorbei!
Finally, the exam is over!
Sentence structure with 'an'
When a movement goes past a place, that place is often indicated with the preposition 'an' and the dative. The pattern is: verb + an + place (dative) + vorbei.
EXAMPLE
Jeden Morgen gehe ich auf dem Weg zur Arbeit an einem schönen Park vorbei.
Every morning on my way to work, I walk past a beautiful park.
Compare with
vorbei vs aus
from / out
'aus' and 'vorbei' can both mean that something is over. 'aus' is often used briefly and colloquially, especially with school, lights, devices, or also in fixed expressions like 'Der Traum ist aus' (the dream is over). 'vorbei' puts more emphasis on the fact that a period of time, an event, or a state has come to an end. Learners may confuse the words because both have to do with endings. As a guide: with events and periods of time, 'vorbei' often sounds more natural; with 'Licht' (light), 'Gerät' (device), or 'Schule' (school), you often hear 'aus'.
vorbei
Nach zwei Stunden war die Prüfung endlich vorbei.
After two hours, the exam was finally over.
aus
Ist der Unterricht schon aus?
Is class already over?
In real life
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