adjective
front, anterior
B1
vordere is an adjective meaning front or anterior, used to describe position (e.g., the front row). It’s gradable: comparative vorderer, superlative am vordersten. Typically used attributively before nouns (die vordere Reihe). Regular adjective behavior; choice of ending depends on gender, case and article.
Examples
Die vordere Abteilung enthält die Bücher zur Stadtgeschichte.
The front section contains the books on city history.
Der Veranstalter sperrte die vordere Reihe ab, weil mehrere Sitze beschädigt waren, sodass die Zuschauer auf andere Plätze verwiesen wurden.
The organizer cordoned off the front row because several seats were damaged, so the spectators were directed to other seats.
Die vordere Reihe ist für Gäste reserviert.
The front row is reserved for guests.
Details
Mnemonics
imagine the front row of seats with a big label 'VORDER' at the front
sounds like 'border' which sits at the front edge
Notes
Often appears as an attributive adjective (vorder- / vordere / vorderer). It is related to positioning (the front part) and is commonly used in compounds (vorderer, Vorderseite).