pred / pod / nad / među + Accusative / Instrumental

Movement and Position with Spatial Prepositions

Level 4

Directed placement uses accusative; an established spatial relation uses instrumental.

How It Works

Compare Stavio je torbu pod stol with Torba je pod stolom. The accusative marks the target position; the instrumental describes the existing position.

A moving action can still occur within an established location: šetamo pred kućom. Instrumental does not mean that everyone must stand still.

Use the verb and the intended spatial relation together. These patterns concern the relevant spatial uses; the same prepositions can also have abstract meanings that need their own examples.

Examples (3)

  1. Stavila sam torbu pod stol.

    I put the bag under the table.

    Accusative stol marks the target position; the speaker is female.

  2. Torba je pod stolom.

    The bag is under the table.

    Instrumental stolom describes its position.

  3. Šetamo pred kućom.

    We are walking in front of the house.

    The action involves movement, but it stays within the location expressed by instrumental kućom.

How It Connects

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

pred / pod / nad / među + Accusative / InstrumentalLevel 4Movement and Position with Spatial Prepositions

Learn This First

These spatial prepositions contrast accusative direction with instrumental position.

Words in This Pattern

nadmeđu