Vorfahren
ancestors / forebears
Advanced Noun
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Pronunciation
/ˈfoːɐ̯ˌfaːʁən/
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Cultural Note
Researching Vorfahren (genealogy) is a popular hobby in Germany. Church records (Kirchenbücher) dating back to the 16th century are the primary source. The word also means 'to drive forward' as a separable verb (vorfahren), so context is important.
📝 Example Sentences
Unsere Vorfahren kamen aus Schlesien.
Our ancestors came from Silesia.
Er erforscht die Geschichte seiner Vorfahren.
He researches the history of his ancestors.