Vorführen

Vorführen is a German verb with several related meanings centered on presenting something to others. The primary senses are to perform a work in front of an audience (das Stück vorführen), to demonstrate how something works (eine Maschine, eine Funktionsweise vorführen), and to bring someone before an audience or authority (den Verdächtigen/den Zeugen vorführen). The prefix vor- conveys the sense of “in front of” or “before.”

Grammatically, vorführen is a separable verb. In the present tense, the prefix is separated and placed at the end of the clause: Er führt das Stück heute Abend vor. The simple past is formed with führte vor, and the perfect tense is hat vorgeführt. In passive or indirect constructions, contexts such as “das Stück wurde vorgeführt” are also possible, depending on the voice and tense.

Usage notes: In the performing sense, vorführen is common in theater, cinema, or demonstrations of art and culture. In the demonstrative sense, it refers to showing how a device, procedure, or process works. In formal or legal contexts, vorführen can mean to present a person before an authority or audience, for example den Verdächtigen vorführen. The verb is closely related to, but distinct from, vorzeigen (to show, e.g., a ticket or document) and vorhalten (to reproach or lay before).

Etymology: vorführen is formed from führen (to lead) with the prefix vor-, indicating “leading in front” or “presenting ahead,” a usage that extends from medieval to modern German.

Examples: Das Stück wurde gestern vorgeführt. Der Techniker führte die Funktionsweise der Maschine vor. Die Behörde führte den Verdächtigen dem Zeugen vor.