das  Vorjahr

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈfoːɐ̯ˌjaːɐ̯/

🗓️ What does "das Vorjahr" mean?

The German word das Vorjahr (neuter gender) means the 'previous year' or 'last year'. It refers to the year immediately preceding the current year or the year being discussed. It's commonly used for making comparisons over time, especially in economic or statistical contexts.

It always takes the article "das" because the base word "Jahr" (year) is neuter. There's only this one meaning and gender for "Vorjahr".

🧐 Grammar of "das Vorjahr" in Detail

"Das Vorjahr" is a neuter noun. It's mostly used in the singular. A plural form ("die Vorjahre" - the previous years) is grammatically possible but less common, used when referring to multiple preceding years.

Declension Singular

Note: The Genitive and Dative forms ending in "-e" (Vorjahres, Vorjahre) are slightly more formal.

📝 Example Sentences

1. Die Umsätze sind im Vergleich zum Vorjahr gestiegen.
   (Sales increased compared to the previous year.)
2. Im Vorjahr hatten wir einen strengeren Winter.
   (Last year / In the previous year, we had a harsher winter.)
3. Die Daten des Vorjahres wurden analysiert.
   (The data from the previous year were analyzed.)
4. Wir konnten die Ergebnisse des Vorjahrs übertreffen.
   (We were able to surpass the results of the previous year.)

💡 How to use "das Vorjahr"?

"Das Vorjahr" is primarily used to:

• Make comparisons over time: Especially common in reports, statistics, and news to show developments (e.g., economic growth, sales figures, weather data comparing to das Vorjahr).
• Refer to the preceding year: When talking about events that happened in the year before the current one or the one being discussed.

Context: The term is neutral and used in both formal written language (reports, analyses) and everyday speech.

Comparison:

• Letztes Jahr: Often used synonymously with "im Vorjahr", sounds a bit more informal. (Last year)
• Vergangenes Jahr: Also synonymous, perhaps slightly more elevated than "letztes Jahr". (The past year)

Common phrases are "im Vorjahr" (in the previous year - Dative case) or referring to something "des Vorjahres" (of the previous year - Genitive case).

🧠 Mnemonics for "das Vorjahr"

For the article "das": Remember das Jahr (the year). "Vorjahr" is just a specific type of year, so it keeps the article "das". The year *before* is *das* Vorjahr.

For the meaning: Imagine "Vor" sounds like "fore" as in "before". So, "Vor-Jahr" is the year *before*. Visualize looking back on a timeline: the year *before* this one is das Vorjahr.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar but different words:

• der Vorabend: The evening before a specific day.
• der Vormonat: The previous month.

😄 A little Joke

Warum sind Statistiken aus dem Vorjahr manchmal so deprimierend?

Weil sie einem zeigen, wie viel besser man es hätte machen können! 😉

(Why are statistics from the previous year sometimes so depressing? Because they show you how much better you could have done it!)

📜 Poem about Time

Das Vorjahr zieht vorbei, geschwind,
wie Blätter, die verweht im Wind.
Was war, ist nun Erinnerung,
Bringt Freude oder Mahnung.
Man blickt zurück, vergleicht die Zahl,
ob Wachstum da war, oder Tal.
Das Vorjahr lehrt, was man vollbracht,
fürs neue Jahr gibt's frische Macht.

(The previous year passes quickly,
like leaves blown away in the wind.
What was, is now memory,
Brings joy or warning.
One looks back, compares the numbers,
whether there was growth, or a valley.
The previous year teaches what was accomplished,
for the new year, there's fresh power.)

❓ Little Riddle

Ich bin vergangen, doch präsent in Zahlen,
Man schaut auf mich bei Bilanzen und Wahlen.
Ich liege stets genau zwölf Monate zurück.
Vergleichst du gern? Dann bin ich dein Glück.

Was bin ich?

(I am past, but present in numbers,
People look at me for balance sheets and elections.
I am always exactly twelve months back.
Do you like to compare? Then I am your luck.)

Solution: das Vorjahr (the previous year)

🧩 Word Composition

The word "Vorjahr" is a compound noun (Kompositum):

• Vor-: A prefix meaning 'before' or 'preceding' in time here.
• Jahr: The noun "das Jahr" (the year).

Together, the meaning is: the year that comes before another (usually the current) year. The article "das" is determined by the main noun "Jahr", hence das Vorjahr.