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previous
Refers to something that came directly before in time or in a sequence; preceding.
Im Vergleich zum vorherigen Jahr sind die Verkaufszahlen deutlich gestiegen.
Compared with the previous year, sales figures have risen significantly.
The adjective 'vorherig' (previous) is derived directly from the adverb 'vorher' (beforehand/before). The ending '-ig' makes it an adjective that literally describes “that which was before.”
Bitte lesen Sie das vorherige Kapitel noch einmal.
Please read the previous chapter again.
'Vorherig' (previous) is used almost exclusively before a noun (attributive use) and must be declined accordingly. Using it alone at the end of a sentence (predicative use) is uncommon and sounds unnatural.
Die vorherige Eigentümerin des Hauses ist nach Spanien gezogen.
The previous owner of the house moved to Spain.
The adjective is often used in contexts that describe a sequence or a chronological order. Common combinations are 'der vorherige Tag' (the previous day), 'die vorherige Seite' (the previous page), 'das vorherige Jahr' (the previous year), or 'der vorherige Besitzer' (the previous owner).
Auf der vorherigen Seite des Buches befindet sich eine wichtige Grafik.
There is an important graphic on the previous page of the book.
former
Ehemalig generally shows that someone no longer holds a position today. Vorherig places someone or something in a sequence and refers to the person or thing directly before it. Use ehemalig for anyone who previously held the position of manager; use vorherig for the direct predecessor of the current manager.
Der vorherige Leiter übergab dem neuen Leiter alle Unterlagen.
The previous manager handed over all the documents to the new manager.
Ein ehemaliger Leiter der Firma besucht heute das Team.
A former manager of the company is visiting the team today.
