vorbeikommen
to drop by
To visit someone for a short, usually informal time.
EXAMPLE
Komm doch heute Abend einfach mal auf einen Kaffee vorbei.
Why don't you just drop by for a coffee this evening?
vorbeikommen
to drop by / pass by
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Meanings
vorbeikommen an
to pass by
To pass a place, person, or thing on one's way without stopping.
EXAMPLE
Ich bin heute Morgen an deiner alten Wohnung vorbeigekommen.
I passed by your old apartment this morning.
nicht vorbeikommen an
cannot get around
Figurative for an unavoidable confrontation or necessity; not being able to avoid something.
EXAMPLE
Wer in dieser Branche erfolgreich sein will, kommt an digitalem Marketing nicht vorbei.
Anyone who wants to be successful in this industry cannot get around digital marketing.
Usage tips
Separable verb
'Vorbeikommen' (to drop by / pass by) is a separable verb. The prefix 'vorbei-' stands at the end in a main clause. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
EXAMPLE
Meine Tante kommt morgen kurz vorbei.
My aunt is dropping by briefly tomorrow.
Perfect tense with 'sein'
Since 'kommen' (to come) is a verb of movement, the perfect tense of 'vorbeikommen' is always formed with the auxiliary verb 'sein' (to be).
EXAMPLE
Bist du gestern bei Thomas vorbeigekommen?
Did you drop by Thomas's place yesterday?
Context clue: preposition
The preposition indicates the meaning. 'Bei' + person means a short visit. 'An' + place means that you pass something on your way.
EXAMPLE
Ich komme später bei dir vorbei, um das Buch abzuholen.
I'll drop by your place later to pick up the book.
Typical collocations
For a short, informal visit, the verb is often combined with a purpose, for example 'auf einen Kaffee vorbeikommen' (to drop by for a coffee) or 'auf einen Sprung vorbeikommen' (to drop by briefly).
EXAMPLE
Hast du Lust, heute Abend auf einen Sprung vorbeizukommen?
Would you like to drop by briefly this evening?
Figurative meaning
In the figurative meaning, the expression is almost always negated: 'an etwas nicht vorbeikommen' (not to be able to get around something). It expresses that something is unavoidable or necessary.
EXAMPLE
Um die Prüfung zu bestehen, kommt man am Lernen nicht vorbei.
To pass the exam, you cannot get around studying.
Compare with
vorbeikommen vs passieren
to happen / pass
Passieren and an etwas vorbeikommen can both express going past a place or building on the way somewhere. Passieren takes a direct accusative object, while vorbeikommen requires the preposition an and often emphasizes the route past that place. Both forms are possible in everyday language.
vorbeikommen
Auf dem Weg zum Bahnhof kam ich am alten Rathaus vorbei.
On my way to the train station, I went past the old town hall.
passieren
Auf dem Weg zum Bahnhof passierte ich das alte Rathaus.
On my way to the train station, I passed the old town hall.
In real life
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