prije / poslije / nakon + Genitive

Before and After

Level 2

Prije ručka means before lunch, and poslije ručka or nakon ručka means after lunch. The noun after these prepositions is genitive.

How It Works

Start with prije sastanka, poslije sastanka and nakon sastanka. Sastanak changes to genitive sastanka, including the disappearance of a stem vowel.

A modifier agrees inside the phrase: prije važnog sastanka. These noun phrases can stand at the beginning or end of a sentence; an initial time phrase alone does not normally require a comma.

Compare a full clause: prije nego što dođe and nakon što dođe. Do not put an ordinary finite verb directly after a preposition as though it were a genitive noun. Standalone poslije can also function as an adverb meaning later.

Examples (4)

  1. Dolazim prije ručka.

    I am coming before lunch.

    Ručka is genitive.

  2. Vidimo se poslije sastanka.

    We will see each other after the meeting.

    Poslije governs sastanka.

  3. Nakon posla idem kući.

    I am going home after work.

    Nakon governs genitive posla.

  4. Nazvat ću te prije važnog sastanka.

    I will call you before the important meeting.

    Važnog agrees with genitive sastanka.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

prije / poslije / nakon + GenitiveLevel 2Before and After

Learn This First

The governing word selects a genitive noun phrase, so identify the genitive form before expanding this construction.

Words in This Pattern

poslijenakon