German time clauses with before and after let you say what happens first and what happens next. In this workshop you will hear short native lines, understand what each one means, and then say the lines yourself in realistic situations. You will start with a guided exchange, move to choosing the right reply, and finish by recalling the lines with the roles switched. The recordings are used for listening, repeating, and checking yourself.
Understanding Before and After
A before clause tells what happens first in a plan. A line like «Bevor ich gehe, rufe ich dich an.» means the speaker will make a call first, and leaving comes later. An after clause tells what has already happened or will happen first. A line like «Nachdem ich gegessen hatte, ging ich los.» means the eating was finished, and then the speaker left. Notice that the two events are not at the same time: one clearly comes first. When you speak, say the whole clause clearly and keep the order of events in your mind. You can also use these patterns for everyday routines, as in «Ich trinke Kaffee, bevor ich arbeite.», where the coffee comes before the work.
Everyday Plans with Before and After
These clauses are useful when you make plans with someone. One person asks about the evening, and the other answers with an after clause. In «Was machst du heute Abend?» the speaker asks what the other person is doing tonight. The answer in «Nachdem ich zu Abend gegessen habe, gehe ich ins Kino.» says that after dinner, the speaker is going to the cinema. A before clause can also appear in a question, as in «Rufst du mich an, bevor du gehst?», where the speaker asks for a call before the other person goes. The answer in «Ja, ich rufe dich an, bevor ich das Haus verlasse.» agrees and repeats the plan with a before clause. Listen for the order: the call comes first, and leaving the house comes later.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
Nachdem ich gegessen hatte, ging ich los.
After I had eaten, I left.
NAKH-dem ikh guh-GES-sen HAT-tuh, ging ikh lohs
Bevor ich gehe, rufe ich dich an.
Before I leave, I'll call you.
buh-FOR ikh GAY-uh, ROO-fuh ikh dikh AN
Ich trinke Kaffee, bevor ich arbeite.
I drink coffee before I work.
ikh TRIN-kuh KAF-fay, buh-FOR ikh AR-buy-tuh
Nachdem sie angekommen war, rief sie ihre Mutter an.
After she had arrived, she called her mother.
NAKH-dem zee AN-guh-kom-men var, reef zee EE-ruh MUT-ter an
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
Was machst du heute Abend?
What are you doing tonight?Nachdem ich zu Abend gegessen habe, gehe ich ins Kino.
After I have eaten dinner, I'm going to the cinema.Rufst du mich an, bevor du gehst?
Will you call me before you go?Ja, ich rufe dich an, bevor ich das Haus verlasse.
Yes, I'll call you before I leave the house.Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Guided Exchange: Evening Plans
You are talking with a friend about tonight. One person asks about the evening, and the other answers with an after clause. Play the recordings and read along.
Your task: Play «Was machst du heute Abend?» and «Nachdem ich zu Abend gegessen habe, gehe ich ins Kino.». Read the question in «Was machst du heute Abend?» aloud, then read the answer in «Nachdem ich zu Abend gegessen habe, gehe ich ins Kino.» aloud. Then swap roles: read «Nachdem ich zu Abend gegessen habe, gehe ich ins Kino.» as the answer while your partner reads «Was machst du heute Abend?» as the question. Keep the question first and the answer second.
Reply Choice: Call Before Leaving
One person asks for a call before the other goes. You will choose the reply that matches the request.
Your task: Play «Rufst du mich an, bevor du gehst?». It asks whether the other person will call before going. Now choose the matching reply: A) «Ja, ich rufe dich an, bevor ich das Haus verlasse.», which agrees and says the call happens before leaving the house, or B) «Nachdem ich gegessen hatte, ging ich los.», which says the speaker left after eating. Say your choice aloud, then play «Ja, ich rufe dich an, bevor ich das Haus verlasse.» to check.
Recall with Switched Roles
You will recall two short scenes from memory. In the first scene, one person asks about the evening and the other answers with an after clause. In the second scene, one person asks for a call and the other agrees with a before clause.
Your task: Scene one: say the question from «Was machst du heute Abend?» and the answer from «Nachdem ich zu Abend gegessen habe, gehe ich ins Kino.» without playing the recordings. Scene two: say the request from «Rufst du mich an, bevor du gehst?» and the agreement from «Ja, ich rufe dich an, bevor ich das Haus verlasse.» without playing the recordings. Then swap roles with your partner and say both scenes again, keeping the question or request first and the answer second.
Common questions
What is the difference between a before clause and an after clause in these lines?
A before clause says what happens first in a plan, as in «Bevor ich gehe, rufe ich dich an.», where the call comes before leaving. An after clause says what has already happened or will happen first, as in «Nachdem ich gegessen hatte, ging ich los.», where the eating was finished and then the speaker left. In both patterns, one event clearly comes first.
Can I practice these lines alone without a partner?
Yes. Play a recording, pause it, and say the line yourself. Then play the next recording and say that line too. You can read both roles aloud in order, question or request first and answer second, and then swap roles and say both parts again. Use the recordings to check your own speaking.
Sources and further reading
- german: before and after in time clausesChecked September 2026
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