adverb
past, over
A2
Vorbei commonly means 'over' or 'past' (an event ended or something passed by). Used with verbs like 'sein' (etwas ist vorbei — it's over) or with movement 'vorbei an + Dativ' (to pass by). It's an adverb, not reflexive; no auxiliary verbs inherent.
Examples
Die Prüfungszeit ist jetzt vorbei.
The exam period is now over.
Der Sommer ist vorbei, jetzt beginnt der Herbst.
Summer is past; now autumn begins.
Als die Feier vorbei war, räumten die Helfer die Stühle weg, damit der Saal wieder frei wurde.
When the celebration was over, the helpers cleared away the chairs so that the hall was free again.
Details
Mnemonics
Imagine someone walking past a finish line, leaving it behind.
Think 'for-bye' — something is gone for good.
Notes
Commonly used to indicate that an event or period has finished.