01
vorbeigehen
to pass by
To move past something or someone in a direction without stopping there.
example
Ich bin gestern an deinem Haus vorbeigegangen, aber du warst nicht da.
I passed by your house yesterday, but you weren't there.
vorbeigehen
to pass by / pass
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Separable verb
'Vorbeigehen' (to pass by / pass) is a separable verb. The prefix 'vorbei-' goes to the end of the main clause. In subordinate clauses and infinitive constructions, the verb stays together.
EXAMPLE
Ich gehe jeden Morgen an der Bäckerei vorbei.
I pass by the bakery every morning.
Auxiliary verb in the perfect tense
The perfect tense of 'vorbeigehen' (to pass by / pass) is always formed with 'sein' (to be), because the base verb 'gehen' (to go) expresses movement. So it is 'ich bin vorbeigegangen' (I passed by / I went by).
EXAMPLE
Der Sturm ist zum Glück schnell vorbeigegangen.
Fortunately, the storm passed quickly.
Important prepositions
The preposition changes the meaning: 'an jemandem/etwas vorbeigehen' (dative) means to move past someone/something. 'Bei jemandem vorbeigehen' (dative) means to visit that person briefly.
EXAMPLE
Der Bus ist direkt an der Haltestelle vorbeigegangen.
The bus went right past the stop.
Context clue
In the meaning 'vergehen' (to pass), 'vorbeigehen' is used for abstract things. The subject is then often time, a feeling, an event, or an opportunity.
EXAMPLE
Die schlimmste Zeit wird auch vorbeigehen.
The worst time will pass too.
Register and style
In the meaning 'kurz besuchen' (to visit briefly), 'vorbeigehen' is rather colloquial and is often used for spontaneous, unplanned visits.
EXAMPLE
Sollen wir auf dem Rückweg noch bei Oma vorbeigehen?
Should we drop by Grandma's on the way back?
Compare with
vorbeigehen vs passieren
to happen / pass
'passieren' and 'vorbeigehen' can both describe someone or something moving past a place or person. 'vorbeigehen' is very natural in everyday language when a person walks past someone or something and does not stop. 'passieren' sounds a bit more formal or matter-of-fact and often fits vehicles, borders, checkpoints, or important points. Learners may confuse the words because both express movement past something. In normal everyday situations with people, you often say 'vorbeigehen'; for a specific point that you pass, 'passieren' sounds more precise.
vorbeigehen
Am Wochenende geht er oft an unserem Haus vorbei.
On weekends, he often walks past our house.
passieren
In der Pause passiert die Kundin den Empfang und geht direkt zum Büro.
During the break, the customer passes the reception desk and goes straight to the office.
In real life
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