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German Phrase

Wir haben eine Versammlung vor der ersten Stunde.

/viːɐ̯ ˈhaːbn̩ ˈaɪ̯nə fɛɐ̈ˈzamlʊŋ fɔʁ deːɐ̯ ˈaɪ̯nɐ ˈʃtʊndə/
Meaning"We have a meeting before the first period."
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Meaning

Literally, “We have a meeting before the first period.” In a school context it means that teachers (or students) will gather together before the first lesson of the day starts.

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When to use

Use this sentence when you want to announce a scheduled gathering that takes place before the first class begins – for example, a staff meeting, a briefing for a sports team, or a quick catch‑up before lessons start.

✦Grammar Breakdown

WirhabeneineVersammlungvordererstenStunde

1

Subject‑Verb Agreement

The verb *haben* is conjugated to match the first‑person plural subject *wir* (we).

2

Accusative Object

*eine Versammlung* is the direct object and therefore takes the accusative case; the indefinite article *eine* shows the feminine gender.

3

Preposition *vor* + Dative

*vor* meaning “before” governs the dative case, so *der ersten Stunde* is dative feminine singular.

4

Ordinal Adjective Declension

After a definite article in the dative, the ordinal adjective *erste* takes the weak ending *-en* → *ersten*.

🗨In Conversation

A

Wir haben eine Versammlung vor der ersten Stunde.

We have a meeting before the first period.

Alles klar, ich bin um 7:45 Uhr da.

Got it, I’ll be there at 7:45.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Wir haben eine Versammlung vor die erste Stunde.

    The preposition *vor* requires the dative case, not accusative. Use *vor der ersten Stunde*.

  • Wir haben ein Versammlung vor der ersten Stunde.

    Versammlung is feminine, so the correct indefinite article is *eine*.

  • Wir haben eine Versammlung vor der erste Stunde.

    After the dative article *der*, the ordinal adjective takes the weak ending *-en* → *ersten*.

↔Alternatives

  • Wir treffen uns vor der ersten Stunde.

    We meet before the first period.

  • Wir haben ein Treffen vor der ersten Stunde.

    We have a gathering before the first period.

  • Wir halten eine Besprechung vor der ersten Stunde.

    We hold a briefing before the first period.

de

Cultural Tip

In German schools a *Stunde* is a 45‑minute lesson. Teachers often schedule a *Versammlung* (formal meeting) before the first lesson to discuss the day’s agenda. For informal get‑togethers, *Treffen* or *Besprechung* sounds more natural. Also, remember that *Versammlung* is a feminine noun, so the article is *die* in the nominative and *der* in the dative after *vor*.