01
sich etwas vorstellen
to imagine
To form a mental image of something; to imagine something.
example
Ich kann mir gar nicht vorstellen, wie das Leben ohne Internet wäre.
I can't even imagine what life would be like without the internet.
vorstellen
to imagine / introduce
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
01 / 05
Usage tips
Separable verb
'Vorstellen' is a separable verb with the prefix 'vor-'. In main clauses, the prefix comes at the end. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
EXAMPLE
Er stellt seinen Plan dem Team vor.
Er stellt seinen Plan dem Team vor. (He presents his plan to the team.)
Reflexive: dative or accusative?
The reflexive form of this verb is challenging. If you are picturing something only in your head (imagining it), you use the dative: 'sich (mir) etwas vorstellen' (to imagine something). If you are introducing yourself, you use the accusative: 'sich (mich) vorstellen' (to introduce oneself).
EXAMPLE
Ich stelle mir (Dativ) eine bessere Welt vor.
Ich stelle mir (Dativ) eine bessere Welt vor. (I imagine a better world.)
Sentence structure when imagining
In the meaning 'imaginieren' (to imagine), the verb needs a fixed structure: the person is in the dative (mir, dir, sich), and the thing being imagined is in the accusative.
EXAMPLE
Kannst du dir ein Leben auf dem Mars vorstellen?
Can you imagine a life on Mars?
Typical collocations
When presenting someone or something, 'vorstellen' (to introduce/present) is often combined with these nouns: eine Person vorstellen (to introduce a person), ein Produkt vorstellen (to present a product), eine Idee vorstellen (to present an idea), or ein Konzept vorstellen (to present a concept).
EXAMPLE
Die Firma stellt auf der Messe ihr neues Produkt vor.
The company is presenting its new product at the trade fair.
Fixed expression
The phrase 'Ich möchte mich vorstellen' (I would like to introduce myself) is a very polite and common way to begin a conversation with people you don't know, for example in a meeting or a new group.
EXAMPLE
Guten Tag, ich möchte mich vorstellen, ich bin der neue Nachbar.
Good afternoon, I would like to introduce myself; I am the new neighbor.
Fixed expression
The meaning 'auf eine spätere Zeit einstellen' (to set to a later time) is used almost exclusively in the fixed expression 'die Uhr vorstellen' (to set the clock ahead). This is especially relevant when switching to daylight saving time.
EXAMPLE
Am Sonntag müssen wir die Uhren wieder eine Stunde vorstellen.
On Sunday, we have to set the clocks ahead one hour again.
Compare with
vorstellen vs zeigen
to show
'zeigen' and 'vorstellen' can both mean making something visible or known to others. 'zeigen' is more general: you can point to something, show a photo, or explain to someone what something looks like. 'vorstellen' fits better when a person, an idea, or a new product is officially introduced or presented. This often involves names, information, or a short presentation. A simple rule to remember: you 'zeigen' something so that someone sees it; you 'vorstellen' something or someone so that others get to know it or them.
vorstellen
Am Abend stellt er seine Idee für den Kurs der Gruppe vor.
In the evening, he presents his idea for the course to the group.
zeigen
Die Ärztin zeigt dem Kind auf dem Bild, wo das Herz liegt.
The doctor shows the child in the picture where the heart is.
In real life
Loading video examples...