vorderst
frontmost
Describes the position that is right at the front; located furthest forward. It is the superlative form of 'vorder'.
EXAMPLE
Die Ehrengäste saßen in der vordersten Reihe.
The guests of honor sat in the frontmost row.
vorderst
foremost
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Meanings
vorderst
foremost
Figuratively, used for something that has the highest priority, importance, or significance.
EXAMPLE
An vorderster Stelle steht für uns die Zufriedenheit unserer Kunden.
For us, our customers' satisfaction comes first.
Usage tips
Grammatical form
'Vorderst' (frontmost/foremost) is the superlative form derived from the adjective stem 'vorder-' (e.g. 'der vordere Bereich' — the front area). This stem in turn comes from the adverb 'vorn' (at/in the front). It is a fixed, somewhat irregular superlative formation.
EXAMPLE
Wir saßen im vorderen Teil des Busses, aber nicht auf dem vordersten Platz.
We sat in the front part of the bus, but not in the frontmost seat.
Sentence structure and use
In its literal meaning, 'vorderst' (frontmost) is almost always used directly before a noun and with a definite article, because it describes a unique position. Typical nouns are 'Reihe' (row), 'Platz' (seat/place), or 'Linie' (line).
EXAMPLE
Die Läufer stellten sich an der vordersten Startlinie auf.
The runners lined up at the frontmost starting line.
Fixed expression
In the figurative meaning, 'vorderst' (foremost) is very often used in the fixed expression 'an vorderster Stelle stehen/sein' (to be of foremost importance / to come first). This means that something has the highest priority.
EXAMPLE
Bei diesem Projekt steht die Sicherheit an vorderster Stelle.
In this project, safety comes first.
Context clue
You usually recognize the figurative meaning by its combination with abstract nouns such as 'Stelle' (place), 'Front' (front), or 'Priorität' (priority). If it is about concrete, spatial things like 'Sitz' (seat) or 'Wagen' (carriage/car), the literal meaning is meant.
EXAMPLE
Er kämpft an vorderster Front für den Umweltschutz.
He fights on the front line for environmental protection.
Compare with
vorderst vs wichtig
important
Wichtig directly evaluates a task as significant, but does not automatically establish its place among other tasks. Used figuratively, vorderst denotes the highest priority. If something is simply of great importance, wichtig is appropriate; if it comes first, vorderst is appropriate.
vorderst
Der Schutz der Kinder ist bei diesem Einsatz unsere vorderste Aufgabe.
Protecting the children is our foremost task during this operation.
wichtig
Der Schutz der Kinder ist bei diesem Einsatz wichtig.
Protecting the children is important during this operation.
In real life
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