die  Vorführung

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈfoːɐ̯ˌfyːʁʊŋ/

🎭 What does "die Vorführung" mean?

Die Vorführung is a feminine noun and generally refers to the act of showing or presenting something to an audience. Depending on the context, it can have more specific meanings:

• Performance/Show: The presentation of a play, dance performance, concert, or similar artistic performance. Example: Die Theatervorführung war ausverkauft. (The theatre performance was sold out.)
• Screening: The showing of a film in a cinema or other venue. Example: Nach der Vorführung gab es eine Diskussion mit dem Regisseur. (After the screening, there was a discussion with the director.)
• Demonstration/Presentation: Showing how something works (e.g., a product, a process, a technique) or presenting information. Example: Der Verkäufer gab eine überzeugende Vorführung des neuen Staubsaugers. (The salesperson gave a convincing demonstration of the new vacuum cleaner.) / Die wissenschaftliche Vorführung erklärte die neuesten Forschungsergebnisse. (The scientific presentation explained the latest research findings.)
• Exhibition (rare, often negative): Displaying behaviour, often to shame or ridicule someone (dated or very context-specific). Example: Das war ja eine peinliche Vorführung! (That was an embarrassing display!)

The word emphasizes the act of showing or presenting itself.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of "die Vorführung" in Detail

"Vorführung" is a feminine noun. The article is die. Nouns ending in -ung are almost always feminine in German.

💡 Example Sentences

1. Wir gehen heute Abend zu einer Filmvorführung im örtlichen Kino.
   (We are going to a film screening at the local cinema tonight.)
2. Die Vorführung des neuen Software-Updates dauerte eine Stunde.
   (The demonstration of the new software update lasted an hour.)
3. Während der Vorführung des Zaubertricks staunte das Publikum.
   (During the performance of the magic trick, the audience was amazed.)
4. Der Lehrer bat um eine kurze Vorführung der Methode an der Tafel.
   (The teacher asked for a short demonstration of the method on the blackboard.)
5. Mehrere Vorführungen des Stücks sind für das Wochenende geplant.
   (Several performances of the play are planned for the weekend.)

🗣️ How to use "Vorführung"?

"Vorführung" is used in various contexts, whenever something is actively shown:

• Culture & Entertainment: In theatres, cinemas, at concerts, or circus shows. Here, it is often synonymous with Aufführung (performance) or Vorstellung (show, performance), although Vorführung can sometimes sound slightly more technical or neutral (e.g., Filmvorführung - film screening).
• Business & Technology: For product presentations, technical demonstrations, or training sessions. Here, it resembles Präsentation (presentation) or Demonstration (demonstration). A Vorführung often emphasizes the practical showing, while a Präsentation can also be purely informational.
• Education: When experiments are shown or methods are demonstrated.

Distinction from similar words:

• Aufführung: Strongly related to artistic performances (theatre, opera, concert).
• Vorstellung: Similar to Aufführung, often used for theatre, circus, also cinema (e.g., Nachmittagsvorstellung - afternoon show). Can also mean 'idea'.
• Präsentation: Often in a business or academic context, focus on conveying information (with slides, etc.).
• Demonstration: Can be a technical demonstration, but also a political rally (protest).

⚠️ Avoid confusion: A Demonstration (protest march) in the street is not a Vorführung in this sense.

🧠 Mnemonics for "die Vorführung"

Article Mnemonic: Words ending in -ung often feel like an action or process being wrapped up – like a 'hug' (Umarmung). Many actions/processes ending in -ung are feminine. Remember die Vorführung.

Meaning Mnemonic: Think of someone leading (führen) something in front (Vor) of you. That's the Vorführung – something is being presented right before your eyes, whether it's a movie, a product demo, or a play.

↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar Words (Potential Confusion):

• Durchführung: (Execution, implementation) - Refers to carrying out a plan or task, not showing something.
• Einführung: (Introduction) - Refers to introducing something new (e.g., a person, topic, product launch).

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt der Lehrer: "Fritzchen, was ist eine technische Vorführung?"
Fritzchen: "Wenn Papa versucht, den neuen Fernseher anzuschließen und Mama daneben steht und Anweisungen gibt!"

Translation: The teacher asks: "Fritzchen, what is a technical demonstration (Vorführung)?"
Fritzchen: "When Dad tries to connect the new TV and Mom stands next to him giving instructions!"

✍️ Poem about Vorführung

Im dunklen Saal, das Licht geht an,
die Vorführung fängt nun an.
Ein Film auf großer Leinewand,
entführt uns in ein fernes Land.

Ob Technik neu, ob Kunst, ob Spiel,
das Zeigen ist das klare Ziel.
Man schaut gebannt, ist still und lauscht,
von dem, was da vor Augen rauscht.

Translation:
In the dark hall, the light goes on,
the screening/performance now begins.
A film on a large screen,
takes us to a distant land.

Whether technology new, or art, or play,
showing is the clear goal today.
One watches spellbound, is quiet and listens,
to that which rushes before the eyes.

❓ Little Riddle

Ich zeige dir, was jemand kann,
im Kino, auf der Bühn' fortan.
Ich zeig', wie Technik funktioniert,
oder wie man Wissen transferiert.

Mal bin ich Kunst, mal Information,
stets brauch ich Publikum als Lohn.
Wer bin ich, dieses Zeige-Ding?

Translation:
I show you what someone can do,
in the cinema, on the stage, anew.
I show how technology works,
or how knowledge transfer lurks.

Sometimes I'm art, sometimes information,
I always need an audience as compensation.
Who am I, this showing-thing?

Solution: die Vorführung

🧐 More about "Vorführung"

Word Composition

The word "Vorführung" is composed of:

• vor-: A prefix meaning "in front of", "before", or "in the presence of". Here: showing something in front of others.
• führen: The verb meaning "to lead", "to guide", "to show".
• -ung: A suffix that turns verbs into nouns, usually indicating an action, process, or its result. It makes the noun feminine (die).

So, literally: The act of leading/showing something in front of someone.

Trivia

In a legal context, "Vorführung" can also mean bringing a person (e.g., a witness or defendant) before an authority or court, often under compulsion (e.g., Haftbefehl zur Vorführung - arrest warrant for appearance). This is a very specific meaning.