preposition
before, in front of
A1
Vor is a German preposition meaning 'before' (time) or 'in front of' (space). It governs dative for static location (vor dem Haus) and accusative for movement toward a location (Er stellt sich vor das Publikum). Context determines case. Can also appear in temporal expressions like 'vor einer Stunde'.
Examples
Die Polizei sperrte die Straße ab, weil ein Baum vor dem Gebäude fiel.
The police cordoned off the street because a tree fell in front of the building.
Ich komme vor dem Unterricht.
I'll arrive before the class.
Das Auto steht vor dem Haus.
The car is parked in front of the house.
Details
Mnemonics
imagine someone standing in front of a door (the person is 'vor' the door)
sounds like 'for' in English
Notes
The preposition 'vor' can take dative for location and accusative for movement/direction. It is also used in time expressions (vor zwei Stunden = two hours ago / before two hours).