01
vorrücken
to advance
To move oneself or something forward, usually in a military, sports, or strategic context.
example
Die Armee rückte bis an die Grenze der Hauptstadt vor.
The army advanced as far as the border of the capital.
vorrücken
to advance
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Separable verb
'Vorrücken' (to advance) is a separable verb. The prefix 'vor-' goes at the end in a main clause. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
EXAMPLE
Der Zeiger der Uhr rückt langsam vor.
The hand of the clock slowly advances.
Perfect tense with 'sein'
Since 'vorrücken' (to advance) describes movement or a change of state, the perfect tense is always formed with the auxiliary verb 'sein' (to be).
EXAMPLE
Die Mannschaft ist auf den ersten Platz vorgerückt.
The team has moved up to first place.
Context clue: movement
This meaning is often recognized from a military or strategic context, e.g. 'Armee' (army), 'Front' (front), or 'Figuren' (pieces) on a game board. Usually a preposition such as 'an' (up to), 'bis zu' (as far as), or 'auf' (onto/toward) is used to indicate the destination.
EXAMPLE
Die Spielfigur darf nur ein Feld vorrücken.
The game piece may advance only one square.
Context clue: ranking
When it is about rising in a hierarchy, you will often find words in the sentence such as 'Platz' (place), 'Position' (position), 'Rang' (rank), or 'Tabelle' (table/standings). The typical preposition here is 'auf' (to).
EXAMPLE
Sie hofft, bald in eine höhere Position vorrücken zu können.
She hopes to be able to move up into a higher position soon.
Context clue: time
In this meaning, the subject of the sentence is a time expression such as 'die Stunde' (the hour), 'die Zeit' (time), or 'das Alter' (age). The participial construction 'mit vorrückender Stunde' (as the hour advances) or 'bei vorrückendem Alter' (with advancing age) is especially common.
EXAMPLE
Bei vorrückendem Alter werden manche Dinge beschwerlicher.
With advancing age, some things become more difficult.
Compare with
vorrücken vs zurückziehen
to withdraw / retreat
'zurückziehen' and 'vorrücken' both describe movement in relation to a position. However, they go in opposite directions. 'zurückziehen' means that someone or something moves away from a position and goes backward. 'vorrücken' means that someone or something moves forward. Both words fit especially well in military, sports, or strategic situations.
vorrücken
Nach dem Startsignal rückten die Läufer langsam zur vorderen Linie vor.
After the starting signal, the runners slowly advanced to the front line.
zurückziehen
Wegen der Gefahr zog sich die Gruppe hinter die Mauer zurück.
Because of the danger, the group retreated behind the wall.
In real life
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