vorlegen
to present
To present or submit something for examination, inspection, or approval.
EXAMPLE
Könnten Sie bitte Ihren Pass und das Visum vorlegen?
Could you please present your passport and visa?
vorlegen
to present / advance
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Meanings
vorlegen
to set up
In sports, especially in soccer, to play a pass that gives a teammate a direct chance to score.
EXAMPLE
Der Mittelfeldspieler konnte seinem Stürmer den Ball perfekt zum 1:0 vorlegen.
The midfielder was able to set up his striker perfectly for the 1-0 goal.
vorlegen
to advance money
To spend money for someone else with the expectation of getting it back.
EXAMPLE
Kannst du das Geld für die Kinokarten vorlegen? Ich bezahle dich morgen.
Can you advance the money for the movie tickets? I'll pay you back tomorrow.
vorlegen
to serve
When eating, to distribute food from a large platter or bowl onto the plates of those present.
EXAMPLE
Darf ich Ihnen noch etwas von dem Salat vorlegen?
May I serve you some more of the salad?
vorlegen
to set a mark
In a competition or contest, to achieve a strong performance or fast result that puts pressure on the competitors.
EXAMPLE
Der Favorit hat im ersten Lauf eine beeindruckende Zeit vorgelegt.
The favorite set an impressive time in the first run.
Usage tips
Separable verb
'Vorlegen' (to present/advance) is a separable verb. The prefix 'vor-' carries the literal meaning 'forward' or 'in front of someone'. This basic idea appears in most of its meanings.
EXAMPLE
Beim Betreten des Gebäudes müssen Sie Ihren Ausweis vorlegen.
When entering the building, you must present your ID.
Word order
As a separable verb, the prefix 'vor-' stands at the end in a main clause. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
EXAMPLE
Er legt die Dokumente vor.
He presents the documents.
Dative construction
'Vorlegen' (to present/advance) is very often used with a dative object and an accusative object. The person to whom something is presented is in the dative, and the thing that is presented is in the accusative.
EXAMPLE
Die Studentin legte dem Professor ihre Arbeit vor.
The student presented her paper to the professor.
Context clue
The many meanings of 'vorlegen' (to present/advance) are best recognized from the object and the context. Whether it is about documents, money, food, or a ball determines the exact meaning.
EXAMPLE
Der Stürmer hat das entscheidende Tor genial vorgelegt.
The striker brilliantly set up the decisive goal.
Typical collocations
In official or business contexts, 'vorlegen' (to present) is often combined with documents. Typical phrases are: 'einen Ausweis vorlegen' (to present an ID), 'einen Vertrag vorlegen' (to present a contract), or 'Beweise vorlegen' (to present evidence).
EXAMPLE
Für den Antrag müssen Sie eine Geburtsurkunde vorlegen.
For the application, you must present a birth certificate.
Compare with
präsentiereneinreichenservierenauflegenanrichtenvorgebenhinlegenabliefernvorzuweisenunterbreitenvorzeigenausteilen
vorlegen vs präsentieren
to present
Both words can be used for a report presented to a decision-making body. Präsentieren emphasizes presenting the information clearly to an audience, while vorlegen highlights handing something over for examination, review, or approval. Use „präsentieren“ for the presentation and „vorlegen“ for the formal review of the document.
vorlegen
Die Projektleiterin legt dem Ausschuss den Bericht zur Genehmigung vor.
The project manager submits the report to the committee for approval.
präsentieren
Die Projektleiterin präsentiert dem Ausschuss die Ergebnisse und beantwortet Fragen.
The project manager presents the results to the committee and answers questions.
In real life
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