predecessor
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predecessor
A woman who held a particular position, office, or function before the current person.
Die neue Abteilungsleiterin hat sich mit ihrer Vorgängerin getroffen, um die Übergabe zu besprechen.
The new department head met with her predecessor to discuss the handover.
The word is derived from the masculine noun 'der Vorgänger' (predecessor), to which the feminine ending '-in' is added. 'Vorgänger' itself comes from 'vor' (before) and 'gehen' (to go) and describes someone who 'went before.'
Die Kanzlerin traf sich regelmäßig mit ihrem Vorgänger.
The chancellor met regularly with her predecessor.
Common verbs used with 'Vorgängerin' (female predecessor) are 'ablösen' (to replace), 'nachfolgen' (to succeed), or 'die Arbeit fortsetzen' (to continue the work). It often involves the handover of tasks and responsibilities.
Er wird die erfolgreiche Arbeit seiner Vorgängerin fortsetzen.
He will continue the successful work of his predecessor.
The word is often used with a possessive pronoun ('meine Vorgängerin' — my predecessor) or in the genitive to clarify the relationship. The position or office is usually also mentioned, e.g. 'meine Vorgängerin im Amt' (my predecessor in office).
Meine Vorgängerin hat mir viele nützliche Dokumente hinterlassen.
My predecessor left me many useful documents.
successor
Nachfolgerin and Vorgängerin both refer to a woman in the same position, but they differ in the direction of the chronological sequence. The Nachfolgerin comes after the person in question, while the Vorgängerin held the position before her. So pay attention to whose perspective you are using to describe the sequence.
Vor Anna hatte ihre Vorgängerin sechs Jahre lang das Bürgermeisteramt inne.
Before Anna, her predecessor held the office of mayor for six years.
Nach dem Rücktritt der Bürgermeisterin wurde Anna ihre Nachfolgerin.
After the mayor resigned, Anna became her successor.
