preliminary decision / qualifying round
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preliminary decision
A decision or event that strongly influences or effectively determines the final outcome of a situation before the formal end has been reached.
Das 3:0 in der ersten Halbzeit war bereits die Vorentscheidung für das Fußballspiel.
The 3-0 score in the first half was already the preliminary decision in the football match.
The word is made up of the prefix 'vor-' (pre-, before) and 'Entscheidung' (decision). So it describes a decision that takes place before the final decision or anticipates it.
Die Wahl des Kandidaten war eine wichtige Vorentscheidung für die Partei.
The choice of the candidate was an important preliminary decision for the party.
When an event practically seals the outcome, the phrase 'eine Vorentscheidung fällt' (a preliminary decision is made) is often used. The verb 'fallen' (to fall) is a very common combination here.
Mit dem zweiten Tor fiel im Spiel die Vorentscheidung.
With the second goal, the preliminary decision was made in the match.
You can recognize this meaning from the context of competitions. The word is often used in the plural ('die Vorentscheidungen', the qualifying rounds) or with terms like 'Finale' (final), 'Teilnehmer' (participants), or 'sich qualifizieren' (to qualify).
Viele Künstler hoffen, bei der Vorentscheidung für den Musikwettbewerb erfolgreich zu sein.
Many artists hope to be successful in the qualifying round for the music competition.
decision
'die Entscheidung' and 'die Vorentscheidung' can both have to do with the outcome of something. 'die Entscheidung' is the final point: after that, it is clear which option was chosen or who won. 'die Vorentscheidung' happens earlier. It strongly influences the later outcome or almost decides everything already, even though the formal end has not yet been reached. In sports, 'Vorentscheidung' can also mean a round before the final. Learners may confuse the words because both sound like 'Entscheidung'. The important point is: 'Vorentscheidung' does not always mean final; it comes before the actual end.
Das frühe Tor war eine Vorentscheidung, obwohl das Spiel noch lange dauerte.
The early goal was a preliminary deciding moment, even though the match still went on for a long time.
Vor dem Termin ist meine Entscheidung noch nicht sicher.
Before the appointment, my decision is still not certain.