Meaning
To present one person to another.
Cultural Background
The 'Knigge' rules suggest that you should always introduce the younger person to the older person, and the lower-ranking person to the higher-ranking person. Titles are extremely important in Austria. When introducing someone, you should always include their academic or professional titles (e.g., Magister, Doktor). In Switzerland, introductions are often followed by a specific greeting like 'Grüezi' (formal) or 'Hoi' (informal), depending on the region. In modern German startups, the 'Du' culture is common, but 'vorstellen' remains the standard verb for making introductions, even if titles are dropped.
The 'Dative' Recipient
Always remember: You introduce someone (Accusative) TO someone (Dative). 'Ich stelle DICH (Acc) IHM (Dat) vor.'
Separable Verb Alert
Don't forget to kick the 'vor' to the end of the sentence in the present tense!
Meaning
To present one person to another.
The 'Dative' Recipient
Always remember: You introduce someone (Accusative) TO someone (Dative). 'Ich stelle DICH (Acc) IHM (Dat) vor.'
Separable Verb Alert
Don't forget to kick the 'vor' to the end of the sentence in the present tense!
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of 'vorstellen'.
Ich ______ dir {meinen|m} {den|m} Bruder ______.
In a simple present tense sentence, 'vorstellen' is separated, and 'stelle' is conjugated for 'ich'.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
A: Ich möchte vorstellen dich {meiner|f} {die|f} Mutter. B: Ich möchte dich {meiner|f} {die|f} Mutter vorstellen.
With a modal verb like 'möchte', the infinitive 'vorstellen' must go to the very end.
Match the German phrase with its English meaning.
1. Jemanden vorstellen, 2. Sich vorstellen, 3. Sich etwas vorstellen
These three uses of 'vorstellen' are often confused but have distinct meanings based on the pronouns used.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Wer ist das? B: Oh, Entschuldigung! Ich habe vergessen, euch ______.
After 'vergessen', we use 'zu' + infinitive. For separable verbs, the 'zu' goes between the prefix and the base.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesIch ______ dir {meinen|m} {den|m} Bruder ______.
In a simple present tense sentence, 'vorstellen' is separated, and 'stelle' is conjugated for 'ich'.
A: Ich möchte vorstellen dich {meiner|f} {die|f} Mutter. B: Ich möchte dich {meiner|f} {die|f} Mutter vorstellen.
With a modal verb like 'möchte', the infinitive 'vorstellen' must go to the very end.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These three uses of 'vorstellen' are often confused but have distinct meanings based on the pronouns used.
A: Wer ist das? B: Oh, Entschuldigung! Ich habe vergessen, euch ______.
After 'vergessen', we use 'zu' + infinitive. For separable verbs, the 'zu' goes between the prefix and the base.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, 'ein Buch vorstellen' means to present or launch a book.
'Vorstellen' is more common and versatile; 'bekannt machen' is more formal and old-fashioned.
You use the passive: 'Ich wurde ihm vorgestellt.'
Yes, in all its meanings (introduce, imagine, present), it is always a separable verb.
Yes, this is a fixed polite phrase used when you are about to introduce someone immediately after.
Yes, but only when used reflexively with the Dative: 'Ich stelle mir (Dat) etwas vor.'
It takes an Accusative object (the person introduced) and a Dative object (the person receiving the introduction).
In German culture, it is considered polite to introduce people who don't know each other if you are the common link.
Use 'Ich stelle mich vor' (Accusative reflexive).
It is a job interview (literally an 'introduction conversation').
Related Phrases
bekannt machen
synonymTo make known.
sich vorstellen
similarTo introduce oneself.
präsentieren
specialized formTo present.
einführen
similarTo introduce (a topic or product).
