aiz / zem / virs + Genitive
Behind, Under and Above
Put aiz (behind), zem (under) or virs (above) before a singular noun in the genitive: zem galda (under the table). A plural noun takes the dative: zem kokiem (under the trees). The case stays the same whether something is already there or is moving there.
How It Works
1. Singular: the genitive.
- aiz (behind): aiz mājas (behind the house), aiz skapja (behind the wardrobe)
- zem (under): zem galda (under the table), zem tilta (under the bridge)
- virs (above): virs gultas (above the bed), virs pilsētas (above the town)
Together with uz (on top of), they place things around an object: uz galda, zem galda, virs galda, aiz galda.
2. Plural: the dative. Like other prepositions, these take the dative with a plural noun (see plural nouns after prepositions): zem kokiem (under the trees), virs mākoņiem (above the clouds), aiz mājām (behind the houses). A plural-only noun follows the same rule: aiz durvīm (behind the door).
3. Place and movement look the same. In some languages, such as German or Russian, the case changes when something moves under or behind a thing. In Latvian it stays the genitive: Kaķis guļ zem gultas (The cat is lying under the bed) and Kaķis paslēpās zem gultas (The cat hid under the bed).
4. Other uses worth knowing.
- Aiz loga, literally behind the window, means outside: Aiz loga snieg (It is snowing outside).
- Aiz shows what you hold someone by: ņemt aiz rokas (to take by the hand).
- Aiz can give the reason for a feeling: aiz prieka (for joy), aiz bailēm (out of fear).
- Zem and virs work on a scale: zem nulles (below zero), virs nulles (above zero).
Tip: answer the question kur? (where?) with the preposition and the genitive, or the dative for a plural noun: Kur ir suns? — Zem galda.
Examples (6)
- Suns guļ zem galda.
The dog is lying under the table.
Galds → zem galda: the genitive singular.
- Aiz mājas ir liels dārzs.
There is a big garden behind the house.
Māja → aiz mājas. The genitive looks like the plural mājas, but here it names one house.
- Virs gultas karājas glezna.
A painting hangs above the bed.
Gulta → virs gultas.
- Kaķis paslēpās zem gultas.
The cat hid under the bed.
The cat moved under the bed, and zem still takes the genitive gultas.
- Lidmašīna lido virs mākoņiem.
The plane is flying above the clouds.
Mākoņi is plural, so virs takes the dative plural mākoņiem.
- Aiz loga snieg.
It is snowing outside.
Word by Word: Behind window snows.
Aiz loga, literally behind the window, is a common way to say outside.
Common Mistakes
Using the accusative after zem when something moves under a thing.
Kaķis paslēpās zem gultu.Kaķis paslēpās zem gultas.Aiz, zem and virs take the genitive for both place and movement. Uz is the one to watch: uz galda (on the table) but uz galdu (onto the table).
Using the genitive plural after these prepositions.
Lidmašīna lido virs mākoņu.Lidmašīna lido virs mākoņiem.With a plural noun, aiz, zem and virs take the dative: mākoņi → virs mākoņiem.
Leaving the noun in its dictionary form.
Suns guļ zem galds.Suns guļ zem galda.A noun after zem changes to the genitive: galds → galda.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Aiz, zem and virs work like uz for location.
Related Patterns
- pie + GenitiveAt and Near: Pie
Another place preposition with the genitive: pie galda (at the table).
Level 2 - Genitive Singular Endings
The endings these prepositions need in the singular.
Level 2 - Plural Nouns After Prepositions
Why a plural noun takes the dative after aiz, zem and virs.
Level 2 - caur / gar / ap / pret / starp + AccusativeThrough, Along, Around, Against and Between
Other place prepositions, which take the accusative in the singular instead.
Level 3 - blakus / pretī / apkārt / garām + DativeNext to, Opposite and Around
More words for position, such as blakus (next to), which take the dative.
Level 3
Words in This Pattern
Practice aiz / zem / virs + Genitive in Bubblegum
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