right of way
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right of way
The right in road traffic to drive before another road user, especially at intersections or junctions.
An dieser Kreuzung ohne Ampel gilt die Regel „rechts vor links“, also achten Sie auf Ihre Vorfahrt.
At this intersection without traffic lights, the rule 'right before left' applies, so pay attention to your right of way.
to cut someone off
To disregard another road user's right of way and cut them off.
Der Autofahrer hat dem Radfahrer an der Kreuzung die Vorfahrt genommen.
The driver cut off the cyclist at the intersection.
'Vorfahrt' (right of way) is a compound noun made up of 'vor' (before/in front of) and 'Fahrt' (drive/journey). It literally describes the right to continue driving 'before' someone else.
Ein Vorfahrtsschild zeigt an, dass du vor den anderen fahren darfst.
A right-of-way sign indicates that you may drive before the others.
The most common verbs used with 'Vorfahrt' (right of way) are 'Vorfahrt haben' (to have the right of way) and 'Vorfahrt gewähren' or 'Vorfahrt achten' (to yield/give someone else the right of way).
Hier musst du dem Bus die Vorfahrt gewähren.
Here you have to give the bus the right of way.
The expression 'jemandem die Vorfahrt nehmen' (to cut someone off / to take someone's right of way) is fixed. The person whose right is disregarded is always in the dative. This is a common source of mistakes.
Der LKW hat mir an der Kreuzung die Vorfahrt genommen.
The truck cut me off at the intersection.
priority / right of way
In road traffic, both words can refer to the right to go first. Vorfahrt is used especially for intersections and junctions, while Vorrang also covers other traffic situations. At an intersection, usually say Vorfahrt; in more general situations, say Vorrang.
An der Kreuzung hat der Radfahrer Vorfahrt vor dem abbiegenden Auto.
At the intersection, the cyclist has the right of way over the turning car.
Am Zebrastreifen hat der Fußgänger Vorrang vor den Autos.
At the crosswalk, the pedestrian has priority over the cars.
