lead time / heat
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lead time
The period of time available before an event, project, or deadline for preparations.
Wir brauchen mindestens zwei Wochen Vorlauf, um die Konferenz zu organisieren.
We need at least two weeks of lead time to organize the conference.
heat
A qualifying race or preliminary round in a sports competition, in which the best competitors qualify for the final.
Sie hat ihren Vorlauf über 100 Meter souverän gewonnen und steht im Halbfinale.
She won her 100-meter heat confidently and is now in the semifinal.
foreshot
In the distillation of liquids, especially in alcohol production, the first part of the distillate, which often contains undrinkable or toxic substances and is separated out.
Beim Schnapsbrennen muss der Vorlauf sorgfältig vom Hauptlauf getrennt werden, da er Methanol enthält.
When distilling schnapps, the foreshot must be carefully separated from the main run because it contains methanol.
The word consists of 'vor' (before) and 'Lauf' (run, process). The basic idea is always 'something that runs or takes place beforehand': the time before an appointment, the race before the final, or the liquid before the main product.
Bitte plane genug Vorlauf für unvorhergesehene Probleme ein.
Please plan in enough lead time for unforeseen problems.
The context makes the meaning clear. In connection with projects and deadlines, it means preparation time. In sports, it is a qualifying round. In chemistry or alcohol production, it is a technical term.
Der Läufer schonte seine Kräfte im Vorlauf für das Finale.
The runner conserved his energy in the heat for the final.
In the most common meaning (preparation time), 'Vorlauf' (lead time) is often combined with verbs like 'brauchen' (to need) or 'haben' (to have). The duration is given with the preposition 'von'.
Für die Planung der Hochzeit brauchen wir einen Vorlauf von mindestens einem Jahr.
For planning the wedding, we need a lead time of at least one year.
preliminary round
Both words can refer to a preliminary stage before the final in a sporting competition. „Vorrunde“ refers to the entire early stage of the competition, while „Vorlauf“ specifically refers to a single qualifying race. Use „Vorrunde“ when talking about the whole stage; use „Vorlauf“ when referring to one individual race.
Im ersten Vorlauf qualifizieren sich die schnellsten Läufer für das Finale.
In the first heat, the fastest runners qualify for the final.
In der Vorrunde werden die besten Läufer für die nächsten Rennen ausgewählt.
In the preliminary round, the best runners are selected for the next races.
