der  Vorrang

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈfoːɐ̯ˌʁaŋ/

🥇 What does "der Vorrang" mean?

Der Vorrang means priority, precedence, or right-of-way. It describes a state or right where a person, thing, or matter is considered more important than another or takes precedence over it. It signifies that something or someone should be considered or dealt with first.

Main meanings:

• Priority / Precedence (Priorität / Vorrangigkeit): The higher importance or urgency of a task or matter compared to another. (Example: Die Sicherheit der Mitarbeiter hat absoluten Vorrang. - Employee safety has absolute priority.)
• Right-of-way / Precedence (in traffic) (Vorfahrt / Vortritt): The right to proceed before another road user at an intersection or narrow passage. (Example: An dieser Kreuzung gilt rechts vor links, du hast Vorrang. - At this intersection, priority to the right applies, you have the right-of-way.)
• Prerogative / Preference (Vorrecht / Präferenz): A special right or advantage granted to someone or something. (Example: Ältere Menschen haben oft Vorrang bei Sitzplätzen. - Elderly people often have priority for seats.)

🚨 Attention: "Der Vorrang" is almost exclusively used in the singular. A plural form ("die Vorränge") is extremely rare and usually only conceivable in very specific, often legal or technical, contexts.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📊 Grammar in Detail: Der Vorrang

The noun "Vorrang" is masculine. Its article is der. It is typically used only in the singular.

Singular Declension

📝 Example Sentences

1. Der Vorrang der Sicherheit ist nicht verhandelbar.
   (The priority of safety is non-negotiable.)
2. Wer hat hier Vorrang?
   (Who has the right-of-way here?)
3. Wir müssen diesem Projekt Vorrang geben.
   (We must give priority to this project.)
4. Er bestand auf seinem Vorrang.
   (He insisted on his precedence/priority.)
5. Die Feuerwehr hat im Einsatz immer Vorrang.
   (The fire department always has priority during an operation.)

🚦 How to use "der Vorrang"?

"Der Vorrang" is used in various contexts to express a hierarchy or order of importance or entitlement:

• In road traffic: Here, "Vorrang" is synonymous with "Vorfahrt" (right-of-way). One talks about Vorrang haben (to have the right-of-way) or jemandem Vorrang gewähren (to yield the right-of-way to someone) (or den Vorrang nehmen ⚠️ - to take someone's right-of-way, which is negative).
• In decisions and prioritization: One gives den Vorrang (the priority) to a task, goal, or value over others. (Example: Der Umweltschutz sollte Vorrang vor wirtschaftlichen Interessen haben. - Environmental protection should have priority over economic interests.)
• In social contexts: Certain groups may have priority in specific situations (e.g., pregnant women, elderly people).
• In legal or formal contexts: It can refer to the precedence of laws, regulations, or claims.

Typical collocations include:

• Vorrang haben: to have priority / the right-of-way.
• Vorrang geben / einräumen / gewähren: to give priority / yield the right-of-way.
• den Vorrang nehmen: to take the right-of-way (implying illegally or unfairly).
• absoluten / obersten Vorrang genießen: to have absolute / top priority.

Distinction from similar words:

• Priorität: Very similar, often interchangeable when talking about the importance of tasks. However, "Vorrang" can also refer to the concrete right (like right-of-way).
• Vorteil: Means advantage or benefit, not necessarily an order or right.
• Vorrecht: A specific right someone has, often exclusively. Can be a form of Vorrang.

🧠 Memory Aids for "der Vorrang"

For the article "der": Think of important male figures who often have priority: Der King, der Boss. Der Boss hat Vorrang (The boss has priority). The masculine article der fits this concept of leading/priority.

For the meaning "priority/precedence": Imagine you are vor (in front of) others in a Rang (rank/line). You have Vorrang! So, Vor + Rang = priority, the right to be in front of the rank.

↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms for "der Vorrang"

⚠️ Confusion warning: Do not confuse with der Vorrat (stock, supply) or der Vorgang (process, procedure, event).

😄 A Little Joke

Fahrlehrer: „Was tun Sie, wenn Ihnen an einer engen Kreuzung gleichzeitig ein Krankenwagen mit Blaulicht, ein Polizeiauto mit Sirene und die Schwiegermutter mit dem Nudelholz entgegenkommen?“
Schüler: „Ganz klar: Ich gebe der Schwiegermutter Vorrang. Die anderen beiden können warten, aber bei ihr ist Gefahr im Verzug!“

(Driving instructor: "What do you do if, at a narrow intersection, an ambulance with blue lights, a police car with sirens, and your mother-in-law with a rolling pin approach you simultaneously?"
Student: "Easy: I give the mother-in-law the right-of-way. The other two can wait, but with her, there's imminent danger!")

📜 A Little Poem about Priority

An der Kreuzung, aufgepasst,
wer zuerst fahren darf, wer hasst,
zu warten, bis der Weg ist frei?
Der Vorrang regelt das, juchhei!

Auch im Leben, Tag für Tag,
was wirklich zählt, was ich gern mag,
bekommt den ersten, besten Platz,
hat Priorität, der größte Schatz!

(At the crossing, pay attention,
who gets to drive first, who hates invention
of waiting till the path is clear?
Der Vorrang sorts it out, oh dear [joyfully]!)

(Also in life, from day to day,
what really counts, what I like, say,
gets the first and foremost place,
has priority, the greatest treasure's space!)

🤔 Little Riddle

Ich bin ein Recht, mal groß, mal klein,
lass dich im Verkehr vor andern sein.
Ich sag', was wichtig ist und eilt,
und wer zuerst sein Ziel erreicht.

Hab' ich, musst du oft warten,
sonst könnt' es böse Taten starten.
Im Deutschen bin ich maskulin.

Wer bin ich?

(I am a right, sometimes big, sometimes small,
letting you go first in traffic before all.
I tell what's important and needs haste,
and who reaches their goal first, no waste.)

(If I exist, you often must wait,
or bad things could start, tempting fate.
In German, I am masculine in kind.)

(Who am I?)
(Answer: Der Vorrang)

ℹ️ More about "Vorrang"

Word Formation

The word "Vorrang" is a compound noun formed from:

• vor- (prefix indicating 'in front' or 'priority')
• Rang (noun meaning 'rank', 'position in a hierarchy')

Literally, it means "the front rank" or "the position at the front".

Cultural Note

The concept of Vorrang (especially Vorfahrt in traffic) varies culturally in its specific rules and emphasis. German traffic rules like "rechts vor links" (priority to the right) are common but not universal worldwide.