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How to Say ‘Before or after meals?’ in German

Vor oder nach dem Essen?

for OH-der nahkh dehm ES-sen

[for OH-der nahkh dehm ES-sen]

💬 Usage Tip: vor and nach change das Essen to dem Essen. Same swap: nach dem Frühstück "after breakfast".

Phrase Breakdown

Vor oder

for OH-der

Before or

'Vor' means 'before' and is pronounced like English 'for'. 'Oder' means 'or'; the final '-er' sounds like a soft 'uh'.

Example

Vor oder hinter dem Haus?

In front of or behind the house?

Words in this phrase

Vor

[for]

before

Preposition meaning earlier than something in time.

Example

Vor dem Frühstück trinke ich Tee.

Before breakfast I drink tea.

oder

[OH-der]

Conjunction connecting two alternatives.

Example

Innen oder außen?

Inside or outside?

nach dem Essen?

nahkh dehm ES-sen

after the meal?

'Nach dem' means 'after the' and takes the dative case. The 'ch' in 'nach' is a throaty sound made at the back of the mouth.

Example

Wir gehen nach dem Essen spazieren.

We go for a walk after the meal.

Words in this phrase

nach

[nahkh]

after

Indicates a time later than something else.

Example

Nach dem Interview gibt es manchmal ein informelles Treffen.

After the interview, there is sometimes an informal meeting.

dem

[dehm]

the

A definite article used before a noun to specify it as something known or unique.

Example

Die Kinder spielen im Garten dem Hauses.

The children play in the garden of the house.

Essen

[ES-sen]

meal, eating

Neuter noun 'das Essen'; the meal or food.

Example

Das Essen ist fertig.

The meal is ready.

Guides for German learners

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