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German Phrase

Bereite das Gemüse vorher zu.

/bəˈʁaɪ̯tə das ɡəˈmyːzə fɔʁˈheːɐ̯ t͡suː/
Meaning"Prepare the vegetables beforehand."
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Meaning

The sentence tells someone to cook or otherwise get the vegetables ready before the next step of a recipe. It emphasizes that the preparation should happen ahead of time, not at the last minute.

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When to use

Use this phrase while giving cooking instructions, in a kitchen setting, or when you want to remind a friend to finish the vegetable prep before moving on to the next part of a meal.

✦Grammar Breakdown

BereitedasGemüsevorherzu

1

Imperativ von vorbereiten

‘Bereite … zu’ is the singular informal imperative of the separable verb ‘vorbereiten’ (to prepare). The prefix ‘zu‑’ moves to the end of the clause.

2

Akkusativobjekt

‘das Gemüse’ is a neuter noun in the accusative case, the direct object of the verb.

3

Adverb ‘vorher’

‘vorher’ means ‘beforehand’ or ‘in advance’ and modifies the whole action.

4

Separable Prefix Position

In the imperative, the separable prefix ‘zu‑’ is placed after the object and any adverb, i.e., ‘Bereite … zu.’

🗨In Conversation

A

Bereite das Gemüse vorher zu.

Prepare the vegetables beforehand.

Klar, ich mache das gleich.

Sure, I’ll do it right away.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Vorbereiten das Gemüse.

    The verb must be split in the imperative; the prefix ‘zu‑’ goes to the end.

  • Bereite das Gemüse zu vorher.

    ‘vorher’ stays before the verb, not after ‘zu’. The correct order is ‘vorher zu’.

  • Das Gemüse vorher bereite zu.

    Word order in the imperative is fixed: verb first, object, adverb, then the separable prefix.

↔Alternatives

  • Bereite das Gemüse im Voraus zu.

    Prepare the vegetables in advance.

  • Koche das Gemüse vorher.

    Cook the vegetables beforehand.

  • Mach das Gemüse fertig, bevor du weiterkochst.

    Get the vegetables ready before you continue cooking.

de

Cultural Tip

German home cooking often stresses ‘Mise en place’ – having all ingredients ready before you start cooking. Saying ‘vorher’ signals that you respect this tradition and helps keep the cooking process smooth. In informal settings the imperative without ‘du’ is common, but in a professional kitchen you might add ‘Bitte’ for politeness.