die  Vorschau

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈfoːɐ̯ˌʃaʊ̯/

🧐 What exactly is a Vorschau?

Die Vorschau (feminine) refers to a preliminary or introductory presentation of something that will happen or be released in the future. It allows you to get a first impression before the actual product, event, or work is available.

Main meanings:

• 🎞️ Film/Media: A short compilation of scenes from a film or show to generate interest (Trailer).
• 💻 Software/Technology: A function that shows how a document, file, or setting will look before changes are permanently applied (Preview).
• 📅 General: A brief look ahead at upcoming events, products, or developments (Outlook, Sneak peek).

The word is always die Vorschau; there are no other articles for this noun.

📝 Grammar in Detail: Die Vorschau

The word 'Vorschau' is a feminine noun. The article is always die.

Example Sentences

1. Ich habe mir die Vorschau für den neuen Kinofilm angesehen.
   (I watched the preview/trailer for the new movie.)
2. In der Druckvorschau kannst du sehen, wie die Seite ausgedruckt aussieht.
   (In the print preview, you can see how the page will look when printed.)
3. Die Software bietet verschiedene Vorschauen für die Effekte.
   (The software offers various previews for the effects.)
4. Der Katalog gibt eine Vorschau auf die Herbstkollektion.
   (The catalog gives a preview of the fall collection.)

🎬 How to use 'Vorschau'?

The term 'Vorschau' is frequently used in contexts where a first glimpse or a preliminary view is provided:

• Media and Entertainment: Often refers to film previews (Trailer), program previews on TV (Programmvorschau), or previews of new books or music albums. Example: „Die Vorschau hat mich neugierig auf den Film gemacht.“ (The preview made me curious about the film.)
• Technology and Software: Many programs offer a preview function (Vorschaufunktion), e.g., print preview (Druckvorschau), file preview in the operating system (Dateivorschau), or effect previews in image editing software. Example: „Bitte prüfe die Druckvorschau, bevor du das Dokument sendest.“ (Please check the print preview before sending the document.)
• Planning and Presentation: You can also give a preview (Vorschau) of a project, an event, or a presentation. Example: „Der Redner gab eine kurze Vorschau auf die Hauptthemen seines Vortrags.“ (The speaker gave a brief preview of the main topics of his talk.)

Compared to 'Ausblick' (outlook), 'Vorschau' is often more concrete and usually refers to a visual or content-based preliminary presentation, whereas 'Ausblick' describes a future perspective more generally.

💡 Mnemonics for 'die Vorschau'

Article Mnemonic: Nouns ending in '-schau' are often feminine (die Schau). Think of 'She shows (die Schau) me the preview (Vorschau).' - 'She' helps remember die.

Meaning Mnemonic: 'Vor' means 'before' and 'Schau' means 'look' or 'view'. So, a Vorschau is literally a 'before-view' or a 'look before' something is fully revealed.

🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms

⚠️ Caution: 'Ausblick' can sometimes be used similarly, but often implies a broader future perspective, while 'Vorschau' usually refers to a concrete preliminary presentation.

😂 A Little Joke

Warum hat der Computer aufgehört, die Druckvorschau anzuzeigen?

Er hatte Lampenfieber vor dem endgültigen Ausdruck! 😉

(Why did the computer stop showing the print preview? - It had stage fright before the final printout!)

📜 A Poem about Vorschau

Ein kleiner Blick, noch nicht das Ganze,
Ein Appetithäppchen, ein erster Tanz.
Die Vorschau zeigt, was kommen mag,
Erweckt die Neugier, Tag für Tag.

Im Kino laut, am Schirm ganz leis,
Ein Vorgeschmack auf neue Reis'.
Ob Film, ob Software, klar und rein,
So soll die Vorschau immer sein.

A little glimpse, not yet the whole,
An appetizer, a first stroll.
The preview shows what is to be,
Arousing curiosity.

In cinema loud, on screen so slight,
A foretaste of a new delight.
Be it film or software, pure and clear,
That's how a preview should appear.

❓ Little Riddle

Ich zeige dir, was bald geschieht,
Bevor du's ganz zu sehen kriegst.
Im Film, im Buch, am Monitor,
Steh' ich meistens kurz davor.

Was bin ich?

(Lösung: die Vorschau)

I show you what will soon appear,
Before you see it whole and clear.
In film, in book, on screen displayed,
I stand just shortly پیش (pish - before) the grade.

What am I?

(Answer: die Vorschau / the preview)

🧩 Further Details

Word Composition

The word 'Vorschau' is a compound noun:

• Vor-: Prefix meaning 'before', 'prior', or 'forward'.
• Schau: Noun derived from the verb 'schauen' (to look, to view), meaning 'look', 'view', 'inspection', or sometimes 'show/exhibition'.

Together, they create the meaning of a 'view that takes place before'.

Trivia

In a theatrical context, 'Vorschau' (or 'Preview') can also refer to a public performance before the official premiere, often at reduced prices, to test the play under real conditions.