vor sich
Translation
in front of oneself, ahead, to oneself
Examples
Er schaute gerade vor sich.
He looked straight ahead.
Sie murmelte etwas vor sich hin.
She muttered something to herself.
Grammar Patterns
vor sich hin + Verb ((sth.)) to do sth. to oneself (mutter, smile, etc.) Sie lächelte vor sich hin.
et4 vor sich haben to have sth. ahead of one Er hat eine schwere Prüfung vor sich.
Similar Words
Synonyms: geradeaus (straight ahead); für sich allein (by oneself)
Etymology
Made up of 'vor' (before, in front of) and the reflexive pronoun 'sich' (oneself). Literally means 'in front of oneself'.
Memory Tips
Picture someone staring into the space right before them, or speaking softly into that space, as in 'muttering to oneself'.