predecessor
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predecessor
The person who held a particular position, office, or function before the current person.
Mein Vorgänger im Büro hat mir alle wichtigen Unterlagen übergeben.
My predecessor in the office handed over all the important documents to me.
predecessor
An earlier model or earlier version of a product, device, or vehicle.
Das neue Smartphone hat eine viel bessere Kamera als sein Vorgänger.
The new smartphone has a much better camera than its predecessor.
predecessor
In mathematics, the whole number that comes directly before another whole number.
In der Zahlenreihe ist 9 der Vorgänger von 10.
In the number sequence, 9 is the predecessor of 10.
The word is made up of 'vor' (before) and 'Gänger' (from 'gehen', to go). A 'Vorgänger' (predecessor) is therefore literally someone or something that 'went before'.
Der neue Chef ist viel freundlicher als sein Vorgänger.
The new boss is much friendlier than his predecessor.
To say whose predecessor is meant, you often use the genitive or the preposition 'von' (of/from). Typical formulations are 'der Vorgänger von jemandem/etwas' (the predecessor of someone/something) or 'jemandes/etwas' Vorgänger' (someone's/something's predecessor).
Der Vorgänger des aktuellen Bürgermeisters war sehr beliebt.
The predecessor of the current mayor was very popular.
The meaning of 'Vorgänger' (predecessor) becomes clear from context. Words like 'Amt' (office), 'Position' (position), or 'Firma' (company) point to a person. Terms like 'Modell' (model), 'Version' (version), or 'Gerät' (device) refer to a product. 'Zahl' (number) or 'Reihe' (sequence) indicate the mathematical meaning.
Das neue Auto verbraucht weniger Benzin als sein Vorgänger.
The new car uses less gasoline than its predecessor.
successor
Nachfolger (successor) and Vorgänger (predecessor) refer to people who held the same position, but from opposite points of view in time. The Nachfolger takes over the position later; the Vorgänger held it previously. What matters, then, is which direction you look in within the sequence.
Herr Braun ist der Vorgänger des neuen Direktors.
Mr. Braun is the predecessor of the new director.
Herr Klein ist der Nachfolger des bisherigen Direktors.
Mr. Klein is the successor to the former director.
