to prevent / to lean forward
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to prevent
To take measures to prevent something undesirable (such as an illness or a problem) from happening. It is used with a dative object.
Um Missverständnissen vorzubeugen, sollten wir alles genau besprechen.
To prevent misunderstandings, we should discuss everything in detail.
to lean forward
To tilt or bend the upper body forward.
Sie musste sich weit vorbeugen, um die Katze unter dem Tisch zu streicheln.
She had to lean far forward to pet the cat under the table.
'Vorbeugen' is a separable verb. In a main clause, the prefix 'vor' comes at the end, but in a subordinate clause it remains attached to the verb.
Ein gesunder Lebensstil beugt vielen Krankheiten vor.
A healthy lifestyle prevents many illnesses.
When you prevent something undesirable, that thing is in the dative. You say you prevent 'einer Sache' (a thing, dative), not 'eine Sache' (a thing, accusative).
Durch regelmäßiges Lüften beugen wir Schimmelbildung vor.
By airing regularly, we prevent mold formation.
The meaning 'den Oberkörper nach vorne neigen' (to lean the upper body forward) is always used reflexively. The reflexive pronoun (sich, mich, dich, etc.) makes it clear that a physical movement is meant.
Ich musste mich vorbeugen, um die Münze vom Boden aufzuheben.
I had to lean forward to pick up the coin from the floor.
Common things that one prevents are illnesses, problems, misunderstandings, or dangers.
Die Polizei ergriff Maßnahmen, um Verbrechen in der Gegend vorzubeugen.
The police took measures to prevent crime in the area.
to prevent
Both words refer to measures taken against an undesirable event. vorbeugen describes taking precautions so that a problem does not occur if possible and is used with a dative object; verhindern emphasizes deliberately ensuring that the event does not happen and is usually used with an accusative object. Vorsorge (preventive measures) goes with vorbeugen, while the result goes with verhindern.
Die Warnschilder beugten einem Unfall an der Kreuzung vor.
The warning signs helped prevent an accident at the intersection.
Die Warnschilder verhinderten einen Unfall an der Kreuzung.
The warning signs prevented an accident at the intersection.
