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vorankommen

B1 verb #3,500 most common 13 min read

vorankommen

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Practice it Examples Notes & Tips vorankommen in 30 Seconds

Explanation vorankommen in your Level:

At the A1 level, the word 'vorankommen' is quite advanced, but you can understand it as a combination of 'voran' (forward) and 'kommen' (to come). Imagine you are walking in a park. If you walk fast, you 'kommst voran'. If you are stuck in a crowd, you 'kommst nicht voran'. At this stage, just remember that 'voran' means forward. You might not use this word yourself yet, but you might hear it when someone is talking about traffic or walking. The grammar is a bit tricky because 'voran' moves to the end of the sentence: 'Ich komme voran.' Think of it like saying 'I come forward.' It is important to know that in German, we use 'sein' (to be) for the past tense of this word because it is about moving. So, 'Ich bin vorangekommen.' Even if you only know simple verbs like 'gehen' or 'kommen', seeing 'vorankommen' helps you understand how German builds bigger words from smaller ones. It is like a puzzle! You will mostly hear it in very simple contexts, like 'Kommst du voran?' (Are you moving forward / making progress?). Don't worry about the complex rules yet; just focus on the idea of moving forward toward a goal. It is a very positive word that shows you are doing something and not just standing still. In your A1 class, your teacher might use it to ask if you are finished with an exercise. If you understand 'voran' as 'ahead', you have already mastered the core idea of this word. Keep it in your mental 'toolbox' for when you reach higher levels!

At the A2 level, you are starting to learn about separable verbs, and 'vorankommen' is a perfect example. You should know that the prefix 'voran-' separates from 'kommen' in a normal sentence. For example: 'Heute komme ich gut voran.' (Today I am making good progress). You are also learning the perfect tense with 'sein', so you should practice saying 'Ich bin vorangekommen.' This word is very useful when you talk about your German studies. You can say: 'Ich komme mit Deutsch gut voran.' Notice the word 'mit' (with). In German, you always progress 'with' something. This is a very common structure. You might also use it when talking about your daily life, like driving to work or doing chores at home. If you are cleaning your house and you are almost done, you are 'vorangekommen'. It is a more specific way to say you are 'making progress' than just saying 'Ich arbeite'. It shows that your work is actually leading somewhere. You will also see this word in simple news headlines or traffic reports on the radio. If there is a 'Stau' (traffic jam), the cars 'kommen nicht voran'. Learning this word at A2 helps you bridge the gap between simple actions and describing the quality of those actions. It is a great word to use in your speaking exams to show that you can handle separable verbs and the preposition 'mit'. Try to use it the next time someone asks you how your day is going!

At the B1 level, 'vorankommen' becomes a core part of your vocabulary. This is the level where you are expected to talk about your goals, your work, and your personal development. You should be comfortable using 'vorankommen' in various tenses and sentence structures. You know it is a separable verb, and you know it takes the auxiliary 'sein'. At B1, you should also start using it in subordinate clauses. For example: 'Ich freue mich, dass ich mit dem Projekt vorankomme.' Notice how 'voran' and 'komme' stay together at the end of the 'dass' clause. You should also be able to use it with modal verbs: 'Wir müssen schneller vorankommen, um die Deadline zu schaffen.' (We must progress faster to meet the deadline). This word is essential for professional contexts. In a job interview or a meeting, you can use it to describe your work style or the status of a task. It sounds much more professional than just saying 'Ich mache meine Arbeit'. It implies that you are goal-oriented and efficient. You should also understand the difference between 'vorankommen' and 'weiterkommen'. While they are similar, 'vorankommen' is often about the steady flow of work, while 'weiterkommen' might mean you have solved a problem and can now continue. At B1, you should also be aware of the dative case that follows the preposition 'mit'. For example: 'mit dem Studium' (with the studies) or 'mit der Planung' (with the planning). Mastering 'vorankommen' at this level shows that you can describe processes and progress with the nuance expected of an intermediate learner.

At the B2 level, you should be using 'vorankommen' with more sophistication, including using adverbs to describe the progress. You might say someone is 'mühsam vorangekommen' (progressed with great effort) or 'zügig vorangekommen' (progressed swiftly). You should also be able to use the noun form 'das Vorankommen' (the progress/advancement) in formal writing. For example: 'Das Vorankommen der Verhandlungen ist für beide Seiten wichtig.' At this level, you are expected to understand the word in more abstract and political contexts. You will hear it in news reports about economic growth or social change. You should also be able to distinguish it from more formal synonyms like 'fortschreiten' or 'gedeihen'. While 'vorankommen' is common in speech, 'fortschreiten' often appears in academic or technical texts. You should also be comfortable using 'vorankommen' in the subjunctive II (Konjunktiv II) to talk about hypothetical situations: 'Wenn wir mehr Geld hätten, kämen wir schneller voran.' (If we had more money, we would progress faster). This shows a high level of grammatical control. Additionally, you should recognize the word in idiomatic expressions or as part of larger compound ideas. At B2, your usage of 'vorankommen' should feel natural and automatic. You use it not just to translate 'to progress', but because it is the most appropriate word to describe the velocity of a process in a German-speaking environment. You are moving beyond simple sentences and into the realm of professional and nuanced communication.

At the C1 level, 'vorankommen' is a word you use with complete precision, often in complex argumentative structures. You might use it to discuss the 'Vorankommen' of a society or the 'Vorankommen' of a scientific theory. You understand the subtle nuances that distinguish it from 'sich entwickeln' or 'etwas vorantreiben'. While 'vorankommen' is intransitive (it happens to you or the project), 'vorantreiben' is transitive (you are actively pushing the progress). A C1 learner might say: 'Wir müssen dieses Projekt aktiv vorantreiben, damit wir in der Marktentwicklung schneller vorankommen.' This shows you can use related words to create a complex and accurate picture of a situation. You should also be able to use the word in formal reports and academic essays, perhaps using the nominalized form 'das Vorankommen' to discuss obstacles to progress (Hindernisse für das Vorankommen). Your understanding of the word includes its social and cultural implications—how the concept of 'vorankommen' relates to the German 'Leistungsgesellschaft' (meritocracy). You can discuss how individual 'Vorankommen' is balanced with social responsibility. At this level, you also recognize the word in literature and high-level journalism, where it might be used metaphorically to describe the flow of a narrative or the development of a political argument. Your use of 'vorankommen' is no longer about learning a verb; it is about using a tool to express complex ideas about movement, growth, and success in a sophisticated way.

At the C2 level, you have a near-native command of 'vorankommen' and all its variations. You can use it with effortless grace in any context, from a casual chat to a formal keynote speech. You understand its place in the history of the German language and how its usage has evolved. You can play with the word, perhaps using it ironically or in a highly metaphorical sense in creative writing. You are also fully aware of the regional variations or registers where 'vorankommen' might be replaced by more colorful local expressions, yet you choose 'vorankommen' for its clarity and professional weight. You can analyze the word's role in complex sentence structures, such as extended participial attributes: 'das mühsam vorankommende Projekt' (the project that is progressing with great effort). This level of mastery allows you to use the word as a building block for even more complex thoughts. You can discuss the philosophical implications of 'Vorankommen'—is progress always positive? Is there such a thing as 'vorankommen' in a circle? You can engage in high-level debates about the 'Vorankommen' of European integration or global climate policy, using the word to anchor your arguments in a clear, progress-oriented framework. At C2, 'vorankommen' is not just a verb in your vocabulary; it is a part of your conceptual framework for understanding the world through the German language. You use it with the same ease and nuance as a native speaker, perfectly matching the word to the tone, register, and intent of your communication.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

vorankommen in 30 Seconds

Vorankommen is a separable German verb meaning 'to make progress' or 'to move forward' in both physical and metaphorical contexts.
It is primarily used for career advancement, project status, or physical movement through obstacles like traffic jams.
The verb is intransitive, uses 'sein' as its auxiliary in the perfect tense, and often takes the preposition 'mit' followed by the dative.
In a sentence, the prefix 'voran' moves to the end in the present tense but stays attached in subordinate clauses.

The German verb vorankommen is a fundamental B1-level word that encapsulates the concept of making progress, moving forward, or getting ahead in various aspects of life. At its core, it is a separable verb composed of the prefix voran- (ahead/forward) and the base verb kommen (to come). This literal combination—'to come forward'—perfectly illustrates its dual usage in both physical and metaphorical contexts. In a physical sense, you might use it to describe your movement through a crowded street or a traffic jam. If the cars are moving slowly, you aren't 'vorankommen' very well. However, its most frequent application in modern German is metaphorical, particularly concerning one's career, education, or personal projects. When a German speaker asks, 'Wie kommst du mit deiner Arbeit voran?', they aren't asking if you are physically moving; they are asking about the status and speed of your progress.

Literal Movement: This refers to physical transit. For example, navigating through a 'Stau' (traffic jam) or walking through a dense forest where the path is blocked. It emphasizes the ease or difficulty of the journey itself.

Wegen der Baustelle auf der Autobahn konnten wir nur sehr langsam vorankommen.

Professional Advancement: In the workplace, 'vorankommen' is synonymous with career progression. It implies achieving milestones, gaining promotions, or simply completing tasks efficiently. It carries a positive connotation of ambition and productivity.

Sie arbeitet hart, weil sie in ihrer Karriere schnell vorankommen möchte.

Culturally, the word reflects the German value of efficiency and steady improvement. It is often used in performance reviews, project status updates, and academic settings. It differs from 'weiterkommen' (to get further) in that 'vorankommen' often implies a sense of purpose or a goal-oriented direction, whereas 'weiterkommen' can sometimes be more incidental. To use it correctly, remember that it is a 'sein' verb in the perfect tense: 'Ich bin gut vorangekommen.' This highlights that the progress is a change of state or position. Whether you are learning a language, building a house, or navigating a career path, 'vorankommen' is the word you need to describe that satisfying feeling of not being stuck.

Social Context: In social settings, it can be used to inquire about someone's life projects. It shows interest in their success and development. It is a polite way to ask for an update without being overly intrusive about specific details.

Wir sind mit der Planung der Hochzeit schon ein großes Stück vorangekommen.

Obwohl das Projekt schwierig ist, kommen wir stetig voran.

In summary, 'vorankommen' is the ultimate 'progress' verb. It covers the physical, the professional, and the personal. It demands the auxiliary verb 'sein', requires the preposition 'mit' for the subject of progress, and splits in the present tense. Master this word, and you will be able to articulate your growth and movement in German with precision and natural flow.

Using vorankommen correctly requires an understanding of its grammatical structure as a separable verb. In a main clause in the present tense, the prefix voran migrates to the end of the sentence. For example, 'Ich komme voran' (I am making progress). When you want to specify what you are making progress with, you must use the preposition mit followed by the dative case. This is a crucial rule: 'Ich komme mit dem Projekt voran.' The dative article 'dem' is used because 'Projekt' is neuter. If you were progressing with your work (die Arbeit), it would be 'mit der Arbeit'.

The Perfect Tense: Because 'vorankommen' implies a change of state or a movement from point A to point B, it uses the auxiliary verb sein. The past participle is vorangekommen. Example: 'Wir sind heute gut vorangekommen' (We made good progress today).

Bist du mit deiner Hausarbeit schon vorangekommen?

In subordinate clauses, the verb and its prefix reunite at the end of the sentence. For instance, 'Es ist wichtig, dass wir schnell vorankommen.' Here, the 'voran' and 'kommen' are written as one word. This also applies to infinitive constructions with 'zu': 'Es ist schwer, ohne Hilfe voranzukommen.' Notice how the 'zu' is sandwiched between the prefix and the base verb. This is a standard pattern for all separable verbs in German and is a key indicator of B1 proficiency.

Modal Verbs: When used with a modal verb like 'müssen' or 'wollen', the verb 'vorankommen' stays together in its infinitive form at the end of the sentence. Example: 'Wir müssen jetzt wirklich vorankommen.'

Ich will in meinem Leben endlich vorankommen.

Another interesting use case is the negative form. To say you are stuck or not making progress, you use 'nicht' or 'kaum' (hardly). 'Ich komme nicht voran' is a common complaint when facing writer's block or bureaucratic hurdles. In professional reports, you might see 'Der Bau des neuen Zentrums kommt planmäßig voran,' meaning the construction is progressing according to schedule. This formal usage is very common in German news and business correspondence. Understanding these patterns allows you to transition from simple sentences to complex, professional communication.

The Imperative: In the imperative (command) form, the prefix also stays at the end. 'Kommen Sie voran!' (Make progress! / Move forward!). This is less common than other forms but can be heard in coaching or sports contexts.

Komm endlich voran mit deinen Aufgaben!

Wir sind trotz der Hindernisse gut vorangekommen.

By practicing these different structures—present, perfect, modal, and subordinate—you will develop a natural feel for how 'vorankommen' fits into the German sentence structure. It is a versatile verb that, once mastered, will significantly enhance your ability to describe your journey, whether it's on the road or in your career.

In the real world, vorankommen is a ubiquitous term that you will encounter in several distinct environments. Perhaps the most frequent place is the German office environment. In daily 'Stand-up' meetings or project syncs, the question 'Wie kommen wir voran?' is the standard way to ask for a status update. It is professional, direct, and focuses on movement toward a goal. If a project is stalled due to a lack of resources, a manager might say, 'Wir brauchen mehr Personal, um schneller voranzukommen.' This usage highlights the word's connection to productivity and corporate success, which are highly valued in German-speaking cultures.

In Traffic Reports: Listen to any German radio station like NDR, WDR, or Bayern 3, and you will hear 'vorankommen' during the traffic updates (Verkehrsfunk). The announcer might say, 'Auf der A7 kommen Autofahrer wegen eines Unfalls nur im Schritttempo voran' (On the A7, drivers are only progressing at a walking pace due to an accident).

Im Berufsverkehr kommt man in der Innenstadt kaum voran.

Academic and Learning Settings: Teachers and professors use this word to discuss a student's development. In a parent-teacher conference, a teacher might say, 'Ihr Sohn kommt gut mit dem Lesestoff voran.' Similarly, in language schools, you'll hear students discussing their progress through the CEFR levels.

Mit regelmäßigem Üben wirst du in Deutsch schnell vorankommen.

In casual conversation, 'vorankommen' is used when talking about hobbies or personal goals. If you are renovating your house, a neighbor might ask, 'Wie kommt ihr mit dem Umbau voran?' It’s a very natural way to engage with someone’s activities. You might also hear it in a negative sense during a frustrating situation: 'Ich habe das Gefühl, ich komme im Leben einfach nicht voran.' This emotional usage describes a plateau or a lack of fulfillment. Whether it's the literal speed of a train or the metaphorical speed of a career, 'vorankommen' is the go-to word for describing the velocity of life's many journeys. Its presence in news, business, and daily life makes it an essential part of your active vocabulary.

News and Media: In news segments about technology or science, experts often discuss how research is 'vorankommen'. For example, 'Die Forschung an neuen Impfstoffen kommt zügig voran.'

Die Verhandlungen zwischen den Parteien kommen nur mühsam voran.

Wir sind mit der Renovierung der Küche gut vorangekommen.

By paying attention to these contexts, you'll see that 'vorankommen' is more than just a translation of 'to progress'. It is a word that carries the weight of German cultural focus on advancement, movement, and the successful completion of tasks. From the Autobahn to the boardroom, it is the heartbeat of German productivity.

One of the most frequent errors English speakers make with vorankommen is choosing the wrong auxiliary verb in the perfect tense. In English, we say 'I have made progress,' which leads many to say 'Ich habe vorangekommen.' However, in German, 'vorankommen' involves a change of position or state, which dictates the use of sein. The correct form is 'Ich bin vorangekommen.' Forgetting this is a tell-tale sign of an English-influenced learner. Another common pitfall is the placement of the prefix. Because it is a separable verb, the 'voran' must go to the very end of the main clause. Learners often keep it attached to the verb, saying 'Ich vorankomme mit der Arbeit,' which is grammatically incorrect. It must be 'Ich komme mit der Arbeit voran.'

Preposition Confusion: English speakers often try to use 'in' or 'on' when describing what they are progressing with. For example, 'Ich komme voran in dem Projekt.' While understandable, the standard and correct preposition is mit (with). 'Ich komme mit dem Projekt voran.'

Falsch: Ich habe gut vorangekommen. Richtig: Ich bin gut vorangekommen.

Mixing up with 'Fortschritte machen': While 'Fortschritte machen' also means 'to make progress', it is a noun-verb combination. You can say 'Ich mache Fortschritte' OR 'Ich komme voran'. Do not mix them into 'Ich mache voran' or 'Ich komme Fortschritte'. These are incorrect hybrids.

Falsch: Wir vorankommen heute schnell. Richtig: Wir kommen heute schnell voran.

Confusion also arises between 'vorankommen' and 'weiterkommen'. While often interchangeable, 'vorankommen' is more about the process of moving forward from a starting point, whereas 'weiterkommen' can imply overcoming a specific obstacle or moving to the next stage of a competition. For example, in a tournament, you 'weiterkommen' to the next round, you don't 'vorankommen'. Lastly, avoid using 'vorankommen' as a transitive verb. You cannot 'vorankommen your homework'. You must always 'vorankommen' WITH your homework. Keeping these distinctions in mind will help you sound much more like a native speaker and avoid common learner traps.

Word Order in Subordinate Clauses: In a 'weil' or 'dass' clause, the whole verb goes to the end, and the prefix is NOT separated. '...weil ich vorankomme.' Many learners incorrectly separate it here too: '...weil ich komme voran.' This is a major grammatical error.

Falsch: Ich bin froh, dass ich komme voran. Richtig: Ich bin froh, dass ich vorankomme.

Falsch: Er kommt in seiner Karriere voran. Richtig: Er kommt mit seiner Karriere voran.

In summary: use 'sein', separate the prefix in main clauses, keep it together in subordinate clauses, use 'mit' + dative, and don't confuse it with noun-based expressions. Mastering these nuances will ensure your German is both accurate and natural.

While vorankommen is a fantastic all-purpose verb for progress, German offers several synonyms that can add precision to your speech. The most common alternative is the phrase Fortschritte machen. This is a direct translation of 'to make progress' and is very common in both written and spoken German. While 'vorankommen' emphasizes the movement, 'Fortschritte machen' emphasizes the results or milestones achieved. Another close relative is weiterkommen. As mentioned before, 'weiterkommen' is often used when you were stuck and have now found a way to continue, or when you are advancing through levels of a competition or school system.

Fortschreiten vs. Vorankommen: 'Fortschreiten' is much more formal and is often used for abstract processes rather than personal effort. For example, 'Die Zeit schreitet fort' (Time marches on) or 'Die Verhandlungen schreiten fort'. It lacks the personal 'getting ahead' feeling of 'vorankommen'.

Anstatt zu sagen 'ich komme voran', kann man auch sagen: 'Ich mache gute Fortschritte'.

Sich entwickeln: This means 'to develop'. Use this when you want to describe a qualitative change or growth in a person or a project. 'Das Projekt entwickelt sich gut' means it is growing and changing for the better, whereas 'kommt voran' simply means it is moving toward completion.

Er kommt in seinem Studium gut weiter.

For physical movement, you might use vorwärtskommen. This is almost identical to 'vorankommen' but is even more focused on the physical direction 'forward'. If you are pushing a heavy car, you are trying to 'vorwärtskommen'. In a career context, you might use Karriere machen or aufsteigen (to rise/be promoted). While 'vorankommen' is the journey, 'aufsteigen' is the specific act of moving up the ladder. If you are not making progress, the antonym is stagnieren (to stagnate) or auf der Stelle treten (to tread water/stay in one place). Using these alternatives will make your German sound more nuanced and sophisticated, allowing you to tailor your language to the specific situation.

Comparison: Vorankommen vs. Durchkommen: 'Durchkommen' means 'to get through'. Use this when there is a physical barrier or a difficult phase. 'Wir sind durch den Stau durchgekommen' (We got through the jam). 'Vorankommen' is about the speed and progress within that situation.

Das Geschäft gedeiht prächtig, wir kommen sehr gut voran.

Wir treten auf der Stelle und kommen einfach nicht voran.

Ultimately, 'vorankommen' remains the most versatile and common choice for B1 and B2 learners. It strikes the perfect balance between being descriptive and being easy to use in everyday situations. By understanding its synonyms, you don't just learn one word; you learn a whole family of concepts related to success and movement in the German language.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

Neutral

Informal

Child friendly

Slang

Fun Fact

The prefix 'voran' is actually a combination of 'vor' (before/in front) and 'an' (at/on), showing a very literal directional history.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /foˈʁanˌkɔmən/

US /foʊˈrɑːnˌkɑːmən/

Primary stress on the second syllable: vo-RAN-kom-men.

Rhymes With

ankommen beikommen durchkommen entkommen herkommen mitkommen nachkommen verkommen

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 'v' like an English 'v' (it should be an 'f' sound).
Stressing the first syllable 'vo' instead of 'ran'.
Not separating the prefix in main clauses.
Using 'haben' instead of 'sein' in the perfect tense.
Pronouncing the 'o' in 'kommen' too long (it should be short).

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to recognize if you know 'kommen'.

Writing 5/5

Requires knowledge of separable verb rules and the 'sein' auxiliary.

Speaking 5/5

Challenging to remember the 'mit' + dative structure in real-time.

Listening 4/5

Prefix separation can be confusing in fast speech.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

kommen vor an mit sein

Learn Next

fortschreiten weiterkommen vorantreiben stagnieren

Advanced

die Vorreiterrolle der Vorläufer der Fortschrittsglaube

Grammar to Know

Separable Verbs

Ich komme voran. (Prefix 'voran' moves to the end).

Perfect Tense with 'sein'

Ich bin vorangekommen. (Verbs of movement/change of state).

Dative Case with 'mit'

Ich komme mit dem Projekt voran. ('dem' is dative).

Infinitive with 'zu'

Es ist gut, voranzukommen. ('zu' is inside the separable verb).

Subordinate Clause Word Order

..., weil ich vorankomme. (Verb and prefix stay together at the end).

Examples by Level

Ich komme voran.

I am making progress.

Separable verb: 'voran' goes to the end.

Kommst du voran?

Are you making progress?

Question form with the verb in the first position.

Wir kommen langsam voran.

We are making slow progress.

Adverb 'langsam' describes the verb.

Er kommt nicht voran.

He is not making progress.

Negation with 'nicht'.

Ich bin gut vorangekommen.

I made good progress.

Perfect tense with 'sein'.

Sie kommen voran.

They are making progress.

Third person plural conjugation.

Kommst du mit dem Buch voran?

Are you making progress with the book?

Using 'mit' + dative.

Heute kommen wir schnell voran.

Today we are making fast progress.

Adverb 'schnell' describes the verb.

Ich komme mit meinen Hausaufgaben gut voran.

I am making good progress with my homework.

Dative plural: 'meinen Hausaufgaben'.

Bist du mit der Arbeit vorangekommen?

Did you make progress with the work?

Perfect tense question with 'sein'.

Wegen des Staus kommen wir kaum voran.

Because of the traffic jam, we are hardly moving.

Using 'kaum' (hardly).

Ich will in Deutsch vorankommen.

I want to make progress in German.

Modal verb 'wollen' with infinitive at the end.

Wir sind heute ein großes Stück vorangekommen.

We made a lot of progress today.

'Ein großes Stück' is a common expression for 'a lot'.

Er kommt mit dem Aufräumen nicht voran.

He is not making progress with the cleaning.

Nominalized verb 'Aufräumen' after 'mit'.

Kommst du mit deinem neuen Projekt voran?

Are you making progress with your new project?

Dative masculine: 'deinem neuen Projekt'.

Es ist wichtig, dass wir vorankommen.

It is important that we make progress.

Subordinate clause with 'dass'.

Ich komme mit der Vorbereitung für die Prüfung gut voran.

I am making good progress with the preparation for the exam.

Dative feminine: 'der Vorbereitung'.

Sind Sie mit dem Bericht schon vorangekommen?

Have you already made progress with the report?

Formal address 'Sie'.

Wir müssen zügig vorankommen, um den Zeitplan einzuhalten.

We must progress swiftly to keep to the schedule.

Modal verb 'müssen' and infinitive 'vorankommen'.

Trotz der Probleme sind wir gut vorangekommen.

Despite the problems, we made good progress.

Genitive preposition 'trotz'.

Ich habe das Gefühl, dass ich in meiner Karriere nicht vorankomme.

I have the feeling that I am not moving forward in my career.

Subordinate clause with 'dass'.

Wie kommen Sie mit der neuen Software voran?

How are you getting on with the new software?

Dative feminine: 'der neuen Software'.

Es ist schwer, ohne Hilfe voranzukommen.

It is difficult to make progress without help.

Infinitive with 'zu': 'voranzukommen'.

Wir sind mit der Renovierung ein gutes Stück vorangekommen.

We have made good progress with the renovation.

Dative feminine: 'der Renovierung'.

Die Verhandlungen kommen nur mühsam voran.

The negotiations are only progressing with difficulty.

Adverb 'mühsam' (laborious/with difficulty).

Wenn wir das Budget erhöhen, könnten wir schneller vorankommen.

If we increase the budget, we could progress faster.

Subjunctive II (Konjunktiv II) 'könnten'.

Das Vorankommen der Bauarbeiten wird durch das Wetter verzögert.

The progress of the construction work is being delayed by the weather.

Nominalized verb 'Das Vorankommen'.

Sie ist in ihrem Studium außerordentlich schnell vorangekommen.

She has progressed exceptionally fast in her studies.

Adverb 'außerordentlich' (extraordinarily).

Wir müssen sicherstellen, dass alle Abteilungen gleichermaßen vorankommen.

We must ensure that all departments progress equally.

Subordinate clause with 'dass'.

Ohne klare Ziele wird man in diesem Unternehmen kaum vorankommen.

Without clear goals, one will hardly get ahead in this company.

Future tense 'wird... vorankommen'.

Die Forschung an dem neuen Medikament kommt stetig voran.

Research on the new drug is progressing steadily.

Adverb 'stetig' (steady).

Wie kommen wir mit der Umsetzung der neuen Strategie voran?

How are we progressing with the implementation of the new strategy?

Dative feminine: 'der Umsetzung'.

Trotz der bürokratischen Hürden sind wir überraschend gut vorangekommen.

Despite the bureaucratic hurdles, we have made surprisingly good progress.

Genitive plural: 'der bürokratischen Hürden'.

Es gilt, das Vorankommen der digitalen Transformation zu beschleunigen.

It is necessary to accelerate the progress of digital transformation.

Nominalized verb 'Vorankommen' as an object.

In einer globalisierten Welt muss man flexibel sein, um voranzukommen.

In a globalized world, one must be flexible to get ahead.

Infinitive with 'zu' used as a purpose clause.

Die gesellschaftliche Debatte über den Klimawandel kommt endlich voran.

The social debate about climate change is finally making progress.

Subject is a complex noun phrase.

Wir kamen mit der Analyse der Daten nur schleppend voran.

We only made sluggish progress with the data analysis.

Adverb 'schleppend' (sluggish/slow).

Das Projekt ist so konzipiert, dass alle Beteiligten gemeinsam vorankommen.

The project is designed so that all participants progress together.

Passive voice 'ist konzipiert' and subordinate clause.

Man muss Hindernisse als Chancen begreifen, um wirklich voranzukommen.

One must see obstacles as opportunities to truly move forward.

Infinitive with 'zu' construction.

Die technologische Entwicklung kommt in diesem Bereich rasant voran.

Technological development is progressing rapidly in this area.

Adverb 'rasant' (rapid).

Das Vorankommen in einer so kompetitiven Umgebung erfordert eiserne Disziplin.

Getting ahead in such a competitive environment requires iron discipline.

Nominalized verb as the subject of the sentence.

Es ist fraglich, ob wir mit den derzeitigen Mitteln substanziell vorankommen werden.

It is questionable whether we will make substantial progress with current means.

Subordinate clause with 'ob' and future tense.

Die Autorin lässt ihre Protagonisten nur langsam in ihrer Selbsterkenntnis vorankommen.

The author lets her protagonists progress only slowly in their self-knowledge.

Causative use of 'lassen' with 'vorankommen'.

Das Projekt stagnierte monatelang, bevor es schließlich wieder vorankam.

The project stagnated for months before it finally moved forward again.

Präteritum (simple past) 'vorankam'.

In der Philosophie ist das Vorankommen oft weniger ein Ziel als vielmehr der Prozess selbst.

In philosophy, progress is often less a goal than the process itself.

Nominalized verb used in a philosophical comparison.

Wir müssen die strukturellen Defizite beheben, um gesellschaftlich voranzukommen.

We must fix the structural deficits to progress socially.

Infinitive with 'zu' used as a purpose clause.

Die diplomatischen Bemühungen kamen trotz intensiver Gespräche kaum voran.

Diplomatic efforts made little progress despite intensive talks.

Präteritum and 'kaum' (hardly).

Ein stetiges Vorankommen ist in der heutigen Arbeitswelt unerlässlich.

Steady progress is essential in today's working world.

Adjective 'stetiges' modifying the nominalized verb.

Common Collocations

gut vorankommen

schnell vorankommen

mühsam vorankommen

kaum vorankommen

zügig vorankommen

schrittweise vorankommen

gemeinsam vorankommen

planmäßig vorankommen

nicht recht vorankommen

stetig vorankommen

Common Phrases

Wie kommst du voran?

— How are you getting on? / How is your progress?

Hallo! Wie kommst du mit deinem Umzug voran?

Hauptsache, wir kommen voran.

— The main thing is that we are making progress.

Es ist langsam, aber Hauptsache, wir kommen voran.

Wir kommen kein Stück voran.

— We aren't making any progress at all.

Seit zwei Stunden kommen wir kein Stück voran.

Um im Leben voranzukommen...

— In order to get ahead in life...

Um im Leben voranzukommen, braucht man Ausdauer.

Ein gutes Stück vorankommen.

— To make a good deal of progress.

Wir sind heute ein gutes Stück vorangekommen.

Endlich vorankommen.

— To finally make progress.

Ich will mit diesem Projekt endlich vorankommen.

Nur langsam vorankommen.

— To make only slow progress.

Wegen des Regens kamen die Wanderer nur langsam voran.

Beruflich vorankommen.

— To get ahead professionally.

Er tut alles, um beruflich voranzukommen.

Mit der Zeit vorankommen.

— To progress over time.

Man muss mit der Zeit vorankommen und neue Dinge lernen.

In der Welt vorankommen.

— To get ahead in the world.

Es ist nicht leicht, in der Welt voranzukommen.

Often Confused With

vorankommen vs ankommen

Means 'to arrive'. 'Vorankommen' is about the process of moving, 'ankommen' is the destination.

vorankommen vs mitkommen

Means 'to come along' or 'to keep up'. 'Vorankommen' is about your own progress.

vorankommen vs vorkommen

Means 'to occur' or 'to seem'. Completely different meaning.

Idioms & Expressions

"auf der Stelle treten"

— To make no progress despite effort.

Ich arbeite viel, aber ich trete auf der Stelle.

informal

"einen Schritt nach vorne machen"

— To take a step forward (make progress).

Mit dieser Entscheidung haben wir einen Schritt nach vorne gemacht.

neutral

"den Turbo einschalten"

— To speed up progress significantly.

Wir müssen jetzt den Turbo einschalten, um fertig zu werden.

informal

"Bäume ausreißen"

— To have a lot of energy to make progress.

Heute fühle ich mich, als könnte ich Bäume ausreißen.

informal

"ins Rollen kommen"

— To start making progress (things start moving).

Das Projekt kommt langsam ins Rollen.

neutral

"Fahrt aufnehmen"

— To gain momentum/speed in progress.

Die Wirtschaft nimmt wieder Fahrt auf.

neutral

"den Stein ins Rollen bringen"

— To set progress in motion.

Er hat den Stein ins Rollen gebracht.

neutral

"mit dem Kopf durch die Wand wollen"

— To try to force progress in an impossible way.

Du kannst nicht immer mit dem Kopf durch die Wand wollen.

informal

"Land sehen"

— To see the end of a long task (progress is visible).

Nach drei Tagen Arbeit sehe ich endlich Land.

informal

"die Kurve kriegen"

— To manage to make progress after a difficult start.

Er hat gerade noch die Kurve gekriegt.

informal

Easily Confused

vorankommen vs weiterkommen

Both mean 'to progress'.

'Vorankommen' is more about the flow, 'weiterkommen' is often about passing a hurdle or level.

Ich bin in das nächste Level weitergekommen.

vorankommen vs fortfahren

Both involve moving forward.

'Fortfahren' means 'to continue' doing something you already started.

Bitte fahren Sie mit Ihrer Erklärung fort.

vorankommen vs fortschreiten

Very similar meaning.

'Fortschreiten' is much more formal and abstract.

Die Zeit schreitet fort.

vorankommen vs aufsteigen

Both involve career growth.

'Aufsteigen' is specifically moving up a hierarchy.

Er ist zum Manager aufgestiegen.

vorankommen vs vorantreiben

Both involve progress.

'Vorantreiben' is active (to push progress), 'vorankommen' is the progress itself.

Wir müssen die Entwicklung vorantreiben.

Sentence Patterns

Ich komme [Adverb] voran.

Ich komme gut voran.

Ich komme mit [Dative] voran.

Ich komme mit der Arbeit voran.

Ich bin mit [Dative] [Adverb] vorangekommen.

Ich bin mit dem Projekt schnell vorangekommen.

Ich muss [Adverb] vorankommen.

Ich muss zügig vorankommen.

Es ist wichtig, dass wir [Adverb] vorankommen.

Es ist wichtig, dass wir gemeinsam vorankommen.

Das Vorankommen [Genitive] ist wichtig.

Das Vorankommen der Bauarbeiten ist wichtig.

Trotz [Genitive] kommen wir voran.

Trotz der Probleme kommen wir voran.

Obwohl [Subordinate Clause], kommen wir voran.

Obwohl es regnet, kommen wir gut voran.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

very frequent in daily life and business

Common Mistakes

Ich habe vorangekommen. → Ich bin vorangekommen.
Verbs of movement/change of state always use 'sein' in the perfect tense.
Ich vorankomme mit der Arbeit. → Ich komme mit der Arbeit voran.
'Vorankommen' is a separable verb; the prefix moves to the end of the main clause.
Ich komme voran in dem Projekt. → Ich komme mit dem Projekt voran.
The standard preposition for 'vorankommen' is 'mit' + dative.
..., weil ich komme voran. → ..., weil ich vorankomme.
In subordinate clauses, the verb and prefix stay together at the end.
Ich mache voran. → Ich komme voran.
You cannot use 'machen' with 'voran'. Use 'vorankommen' or 'Fortschritte machen'.

Tips

The 'Sein' Rule

Always use 'sein' for the past tense. Think of it as a journey from point A to point B. 'Ich bin vorangekommen.'

Use with 'mit'

Whenever you want to say what you are progressing with, use 'mit' + Dative. 'Ich komme mit dem Projekt voran.'

Separable Verb

Remember to put 'voran' at the very end of your sentence in the present tense: 'Heute komme ich gut voran.'

Office Talk

Use 'Wie kommen wir voran?' in meetings to sound professional and focused on results.

Traffic Reports

Listen for this word on the radio when they talk about 'Stau' (traffic jams). It's a great way to hear it in a natural context.

Subordinate Clauses

In a 'weil' or 'dass' clause, keep 'vorankommen' together: '...weil ich vorankomme.'

Adverbs Matter

Pair 'vorankommen' with adverbs like 'schnell', 'langsam', 'gut', or 'mühsam' to be more descriptive.

Avoid Hybrids

Don't say 'Ich mache voran'. Either use 'Ich komme voran' or 'Ich mache Fortschritte'.

Goal Orientation

This word is very positive in Germany. It shows you are an active and productive person.

The Van

Imagine a 'Van' that is 'Coming' toward you. Voran-kommen. It is moving forward!

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'Van' (sounds like 'voran') that is 'coming' (kommen) toward you. It is moving forward!

Visual Association

Imagine a car moving ahead of a long line of traffic. It is 'voran-coming'.

Word Web

voran kommen Fortschritt Karriere Stau Bewegung sein mit

Challenge

Try to use 'vorankommen' in three different tenses (present, perfect, and with a modal verb) in your next German conversation.

Word Origin

Derived from the Middle High German words 'voran' (ahead) and 'kumen' (to come).

Original meaning: To physically arrive at a position ahead of where one started.

Germanic.

Cultural Context

Be careful when using it to describe someone's personal life; if they feel stuck, asking 'Wie kommst du voran?' might be a sensitive topic.

English speakers often use 'making progress', which focuses on the 'making' (doing). Germans use 'vorankommen', which focuses on the 'coming' (arriving/moving).

Used in many German business books about 'Karriereplanung'. Frequently heard in the news program 'Tagesschau'. A common theme in German self-help podcasts.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At work

Wie kommen wir mit dem Projekt voran?
Wir müssen schneller vorankommen.
Wir sind gut vorangekommen.
Der Zeitplan hilft uns beim Vorankommen.

In traffic

Im Stau kommt man kaum voran.
Wir kommen nur langsam voran.
Die Autos kommen wieder voran.
Wann kommen wir endlich voran?

Learning German

Ich komme mit Deutsch gut voran.
Wie kommst du mit der Grammatik voran?
Ich will schneller vorankommen.
Regelmäßiges Üben hilft beim Vorankommen.

Home renovation

Wie kommt ihr mit dem Umbau voran?
Wir sind mit der Küche vorangekommen.
Es ist schwer, ohne Werkzeug voranzukommen.
Morgen wollen wir ein großes Stück vorankommen.

Life goals

Ich will in meinem Leben vorankommen.
Beruflich komme ich gut voran.
Manchmal hat man das Gefühl, nicht voranzukommen.
Sie ist in ihrer Karriere weit vorangekommen.

Conversation Starters

"Wie kommst du eigentlich mit deinem neuen Projekt auf der Arbeit voran?"

"Bist du mit dem Buch, das du liest, schon ein bisschen vorangekommen?"

"Ich habe das Gefühl, ich komme mit meinem Deutschkurs gerade nicht so gut voran. Hast du Tipps?"

"Wie kommen wir heute am besten durch die Stadt, um schnell voranzukommen?"

"Sind wir mit der Planung für unseren Urlaub schon weiter vorangekommen?"

Journal Prompts

Beschreibe eine Situation, in der du das Gefühl hattest, beruflich oder persönlich nicht voranzukommen. Was hast du getan?

Was hilft dir am meisten dabei, mit deinen täglichen Aufgaben gut voranzukommen?

Reflektiere über dein Deutschlernen: In welchen Bereichen bist du am meisten vorangekommen?

Stell dir vor, du steckst in einem riesigen Stau fest. Wie fühlst du dich, wenn du nicht vorankommst?

Welche Ziele hast du für das nächste Jahr, um in deiner Karriere voranzukommen?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, because it describes a change of state or position, it always uses 'sein' in the perfect tense. For example: 'Ich bin vorangekommen.'

It is better to say 'Ich komme mit Deutsch voran' using the preposition 'mit' and the dative case. This is the standard German construction.

'Vorankommen' is a verb focusing on the movement, while 'Fortschritte machen' is a phrase focusing on the results. They are often interchangeable.

The modal verb is conjugated and 'vorankommen' goes to the end in its infinitive form. Example: 'Wir wollen vorankommen.'

No. It is separated in main clauses in the present and past tense, but stays attached in the infinitive, past participle, and subordinate clauses.

Yes, it is very common to describe the progress of a business or a specific project within a business.

It means to make progress with great difficulty, like a car driving through deep snow or a very difficult task.

Yes, 'das Vorankommen'. It is neuter and is used to describe 'the progress' or 'the advancement' in a formal way.

Yes, if you are walking through a crowd or difficult terrain, you can say 'Ich komme nur langsam voran.'

You can say 'Ich komme nicht voran' or 'Ich trete auf der Stelle.'