antaŭ, post, apud, inter
Before, After, Beside, Between
Antaŭ is in front or before, post is after, apud is beside, and inter is between.
How It Works
| Word | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| antaŭ | in front of, before | antaŭ la domo |
| post | after | post la kongreso |
| apud | beside, next to | apud la rivero |
| inter | between, among | inter la arboj |
| malantaŭ | behind | malantaŭ la domo |
Antaŭ and post both work for time: antaŭ la kongreso is before the congress, and post la kongreso is after it. They also show order in a line: Ana iras antaŭ mi, kaj Kofi iras post mi.
Apud shows a close position at the side. Inter needs a group, or two things, on its sides: inter la domo kaj la rivero.
For a place behind something, PMEG says that malantaŭ is the usual word, so post is mostly for time and order. The noun after each of these words keeps its plain form.
Examples (5)
- La aŭto staras antaŭ la domo.
The car is standing in front of the house.
Antaŭ shows the front side.
- Mi sidas apud Kenji.
I am sitting next to Kenji.
Apud shows a close position at the side.
- La ĝardeno estas inter la domo kaj la rivero.
The garden is between the house and the river.
Inter has the house on one side and the river on the other.
- Ana iras antaŭ mi, kaj Kofi iras post mi.
Ana walks in front of me, and Kofi walks after me.
Antaŭ and post show order in a line.
- Post la kongreso ni vizitos Pollandon.
After the congress we will visit Poland.
Post is most often used for time.
Common Mistakes
Using inter with only one thing.
Mi sidas inter Kenji.Mi sidas inter Kenji kaj Ana.Inter needs two things, or a group, on its sides. With one person, use apud.
How It Connects
Learn This First
These four place words are used in the same way as the first group.
Related Patterns
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.