advance
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advance
A payment in advance on a salary, wage, or fee that is paid before the actual due date or before a service has been fully provided.
Da er knapp bei Kasse war, bat der Mitarbeiter seinen Chef um einen Vorschuss.
Since he was short on cash, the employee asked his boss for an advance.
The word consists of the prefix 'vor-' (in advance) and 'der Schuss' (shot). The combination means that something—usually money—is 'vorgeschossen' (advanced), that is, paid before the actual date.
Ein Vorschuss kann helfen, einen kurzfristigen finanziellen Engpass zu überbrücken.
An advance can help bridge a short-term financial shortage.
The context makes the meaning clear. If people are talking about money, salary, or payment, it means a payment in advance. If it is about abstract things like trust, praise, or expectations, the figurative meaning is intended.
Er bat um einen Vorschuss von 200 Euro auf sein nächstes Gehalt.
He asked for a 200-euro advance on his next salary.
In a financial context, 'Vorschuss' (advance) is often used with certain verbs: 'um einen Vorschuss bitten' (to ask for an advance), 'einen Vorschuss bekommen' (to get an advance), or 'einen Vorschuss gewähren' (to grant an advance).
Die Firma gewährt ihren Mitarbeitern in Notfällen einen Vorschuss.
The company grants its employees an advance in emergencies.
In the figurative meaning, the expression 'Vorschusslorbeeren bekommen/ernten' (to receive advance praise) is very common. It means that someone is already being praised before they have even shown what they can do.
Der Film bekam schon vor der Premiere viele Vorschusslorbeeren von den Kritikern.
The film received a lot of advance praise from critics even before the premiere.
loan / credit
'der Kredit' and 'der Vorschuss' can both mean that someone gets money earlier than they have it available themselves. The difference is the reason. A 'Kredit' is borrowed money, usually from a bank, and is paid back later. A 'Vorschuss' is an advance payment on money that someone is entitled to anyway, for example on a salary or fee. The words can be confused because in both cases you get money now and something is settled or paid back later. 'Kredit' fits when the money is borrowed; 'Vorschuss' fits when wages or fees are paid early.
Frau Meier bittet um einen Vorschuss, weil ihr Gehalt erst nächste Woche kommt.
Ms. Meier asks for an advance because her salary will not arrive until next week.
Für die teure Behandlung nimmt Paul einen Kredit auf.
Paul is taking out a loan for the expensive treatment.