die Vorstufe
Translation
preliminary stage, precursor, early stage, prototype
Examples
Das ist nur eine Vorstufe zum fertigen Produkt.
This is just a preliminary stage to the finished product.
Fieber kann eine Vorstufe einer ernsten Krankheit sein.
A fever can be a precursor to a serious illness.
Grammar Patterns
a preliminary stage to ((sth.dat)) This is a preliminary stage to the actual project.
a precursor of ((sth.gen)) A fever is often a precursor of the flu.
Similar Words
Synonyms: preliminary stage, precursor; Antonyms: final stage
Etymology
From 'vor-' (pre-, before) + 'Stufe' (step, stage). It literally means 'before-step'.
Memory Tips
Think of it as the 'step before' the main event or the final product, a preparatory phase.