vorbeischauen
To drop by
直訳: to look past
Use 'vorbeischauen' for spontaneous, low-pressure visits where you don't intend to stay very long.
15秒でわかる
- A short, casual visit without a formal plan.
- Separable verb: 'vorbei' moves to the end of sentences.
- Used for friends, colleagues, or visiting local shops.
意味
It describes a casual, brief visit where you pop in to see someone or check out a place without staying for a long time.
主な例文
3 / 6Texting a friend
Kann ich heute Abend kurz bei dir vorbeischauen?
Can I drop by your place for a bit tonight?
At the office
Ich schaue später mal in deinem Büro vorbei.
I'll pop by your office later.
Visiting a new shop
Wir sollten unbedingt mal im neuen Café vorbeischauen.
We should definitely check out the new café.
文化的背景
While Germans value privacy and planning, 'vorbeischauen' represents the informal side of German social life. It became a staple of urban culture where people live close to friends and shops. It reflects a shift toward more relaxed social norms compared to the rigid 'Besuch' (formal visit) of previous generations.
The Separable Secret
Always remember that 'vorbei' acts like a caboose on a train. It stays at the very end of your sentence unless you have a helper verb like 'können' or 'wollen'.
Don't Overstay
If you say you are going to 'vorbeischauen', Germans expect you to leave within 30-60 minutes. If you stay for dinner, you've upgraded to a 'Besuch'!
15秒でわかる
- A short, casual visit without a formal plan.
- Separable verb: 'vorbei' moves to the end of sentences.
- Used for friends, colleagues, or visiting local shops.
What It Means
Imagine you are walking down the street. You see your friend's house. You decide to pop in for five minutes. That is vorbeischauen. It is the German way of saying "to drop by" or "to stop in." It implies the visit is short. It also suggests the visit is low-pressure. You are not there for a three-course dinner. You are just saying hello. It is a very friendly and lighthearted word.
How To Use It
This is a separable verb. This means the vorbei part likes to travel. In a normal sentence, it jumps to the very end. You would say, Ich schaue morgen vorbei. See how vorbei moved? If you use it with another verb like können, it stays together. For example: Kann ich kurz vorbeischauen? It usually takes the preposition bei for people. Ich schaue bei dir vorbei. For places, you might use in or an. Just remember to keep it brief. Nobody likes a "drop-by" that lasts five hours!
When To Use It
Use this when you are being spontaneous. It is perfect for texting a friend. "Hey, I am nearby, can I vorbeischauen?" It also works at work for quick questions. You can tell a colleague you will vorbeischauen at their desk. It is great for shops or events too. "I will vorbeischauen at the Christmas market later." It sounds much more relaxed than besuchen (to visit).
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for formal appointments. You do not vorbeischauen at the doctor's office. They have a schedule! Also, avoid it for long-planned events. If you are invited to a wedding, do not say you will just vorbeischauen. That might sound a bit rude. It implies you have better things to do. Use it only when the visit is truly meant to be short and casual. If you stay too long, you have stopped vorbeischauen and started nerven (annoying)!
Cultural Background
Germans are famous for their calendars. Everything is usually planned weeks in advance. However, vorbeischauen is the exception to the rule. It is the "social safety valve." It allows for a bit of spontaneity in a structured culture. Even so, a quick text before you actually vorbeischauen is usually appreciated. It is the polite way to be spontaneous. In Southern Germany, you might hear vorbeigucken instead. It means the exact same thing but sounds a bit more regional.
Common Variations
You will often hear vorbeikommen. This is almost identical. Vorbeischauen emphasizes the "looking" or "checking in" aspect. Vorbeikommen emphasizes the physical act of coming over. Another one is vorbeigucken. This is very common in casual speech. Gucken is just another word for schauen. They are all interchangeable in casual settings. Pick the one that feels easiest for you to pronounce!
使い方のコツ
The phrase is generally informal to neutral. It is highly versatile but always carries the connotation of a 'short duration'. Be careful with the separable prefix 'vorbei' in complex sentences.
The Separable Secret
Always remember that 'vorbei' acts like a caboose on a train. It stays at the very end of your sentence unless you have a helper verb like 'können' or 'wollen'.
Don't Overstay
If you say you are going to 'vorbeischauen', Germans expect you to leave within 30-60 minutes. If you stay for dinner, you've upgraded to a 'Besuch'!
The 'Anmeldepflicht'
Even though 'vorbeischauen' sounds spontaneous, a quick WhatsApp message 15 minutes before is the 'secret' to being a polite guest in Germany.
例文
6Kann ich heute Abend kurz bei dir vorbeischauen?
Can I drop by your place for a bit tonight?
The use of 'kurz' (short) emphasizes the brief nature of the visit.
Ich schaue später mal in deinem Büro vorbei.
I'll pop by your office later.
A polite way to suggest a quick work-related chat.
Wir sollten unbedingt mal im neuen Café vorbeischauen.
We should definitely check out the new café.
Used here to mean 'checking out' a location.
Ich schaue nur wegen deiner Katze vorbei, nicht wegen dir!
I'm only dropping by for your cat, not for you!
A common joke among friends.
Danke, dass du kurz vorbeigeschaut hast, das hat mir geholfen.
Thanks for dropping by briefly; it really helped me.
Shows appreciation for a small gesture of support.
Schaut doch am Sonntag mal auf einen Kaffee vorbei!
Why don't you guys drop by for a coffee on Sunday!
A classic, low-pressure invitation.
自分をテスト
Complete the sentence with the correct form of 'vorbeischauen'.
Ich ___ morgen bei dir ___.
In a main clause, the prefix 'vorbei' moves to the end of the sentence.
Which preposition is used when dropping by a person's house?
Kann ich ___ dir vorbeischauen?
We use 'bei' when referring to someone's home or presence.
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ビジュアル学習ツール
Formality of 'Vorbeischauen'
Texting a best friend: 'Schau mal vorbei!'
vorbeigucken
Talking to a neighbor or colleague.
vorbeischauen
A quick check-in with a boss.
kurz vorbeischauen
Official appointments or ceremonies.
besuchen / Termin wahrnehmen
When to use Vorbeischauen
Friend's House
Quick coffee chat
Retail
Checking a new store
Office
Asking a quick question
Parties
Showing up for an hour
よくある質問
12 問It means to drop by or stop in for a short, informal visit. For example, Ich schaue kurz vorbei means 'I'm dropping by for a moment.'
Yes, besuchen is more formal and usually implies a longer, planned visit. Vorbeischauen is casual and brief.
It is a separable verb. In a simple sentence, use schaue... vorbei, like Ich schaue bei dir vorbei.
Absolutely! It’s perfect for saying you’ll pop by a colleague’s desk: Ich schaue später mal an deinem Schreibtisch vorbei.
Use bei. For example: Ich schaue bei meiner Oma vorbei (I'm dropping by my grandma's).
The Perfekt form is vorbeigeschaut. Example: Er hat gestern kurz vorbeigeschaut.
Yes, vorbeigucken is a more colloquial version common in Northern and Central Germany.
Yes, it's great for saying you'll check out a place: Wir schauen mal im neuen Laden vorbei.
It's neutral enough to use if you have a good relationship, but keep it professional: Darf ich kurz bei Ihnen vorbeischauen?
No, it specifically implies that there is no formal appointment, though a quick heads-up is nice.
You can use vorbeikommen. It is a very common synonym that focuses on the arrival.
Yes, if you only plan to stay for a short time, you can say: Ich schaue mal auf der Party vorbei.
関連フレーズ
vorbeikommen (to come by)
reinschauen (to pop in/look inside)
einen Besuch abstatten (to pay a visit - formal)
vorbeigucken (to drop by - colloquial)
auf einen Sprung (for a quick jump/visit)
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