der Vortritt
Translation
priority, precedence, right of way
Examples
An dieser Kreuzung hat rechts Vortritt.
At this intersection, traffic from the right has the right of way.
Er ließ der älteren Dame den Vortritt.
He let the elderly lady go first.
Grammar Patterns
((j-m)) den Vortritt lassen to give sb. the right of way, to let sb. go first He let the lady go first.
Vortritt haben to have the right of way At this junction, cars from the right have the right of way.
Similar Words
Synonyms: der Vorrang, die Priorität
Etymology
From 'vor' (before) + 'Tritt' (step). It literally translates to 'stepping before' or 'front step'.
Memory Tips
Think of giving someone the 'right of way' as letting them take a 'step' ('Tritt') 'before' ('vor') you.