pioneer
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pioneer
A person, group, or company that is among the first to develop new ideas, take new paths, or lead a development; a pioneer.
Das Unternehmen gilt als Vorreiter in der Entwicklung von Elektroautos.
The company is considered a pioneer in the development of electric cars.
The word is made up of 'vor' (in front, ahead) and 'Reiter' (someone who rides). The figurative meaning 'pioneer' comes directly from this image: a 'Vorreiter' is someone who 'rides ahead' of a development.
Er war ein Vorreiter auf dem Gebiet der künstlichen Intelligenz.
He was a pioneer in the field of artificial intelligence.
In its modern meaning, 'Vorreiter' (pioneer) is often used in fixed expressions: 'ein Vorreiter in' + field (dative), 'als Vorreiter gelten' (to be considered a pioneer), or 'eine Vorreiterrolle einnehmen' (to take on a pioneering role).
Das Institut nimmt eine Vorreiterrolle in der Klimaforschung ein.
The institute takes on a pioneering role in climate research.
The literal meaning of a rider who rides ahead is very rare today and is found almost only in historical descriptions of parades or old carriages. In modern usage, 'Pionier' (pioneer) is almost always meant.
In dem historischen Roman wurde der Vorreiter des Königs beschrieben.
In the historical novel, the king's outrider was described.
precursor
'der Vorläufer' and 'der Vorreiter' can both refer to something or someone that comes before a later development. 'Vorläufer' is often an earlier form or version of something that was later developed further. For people, 'Vorgänger' (predecessor) often sounds more natural in this meaning. 'Vorreiter' means a person, group, or company that actively leads a new development or takes new paths especially early. Learners may confuse the words because both contain 'vor' and have to do with beginnings or development. As a memory aid: a Vorläufer comes before; a Vorreiter leads the way.
Die Firma ist ein Vorreiter beim klimafreundlichen Bauen.
The company is a pioneer in climate-friendly construction.
Der alte Computer war ein wichtiger Vorläufer der heutigen Laptops.
The old computer was an important precursor to today's laptops.