už + genitive
Behind with Už
Už + genitive means behind or beyond: Mašina stovi už namo. (The car is parked behind the house.)
How It Works
Behind and beyond
- už namo (behind the house), už durų (behind the door), už medžio (behind a tree)
- už miesto (out of town), už upės (across the river), už lango (outside the window)
- už kampo (around the corner)
Being there and going there
The genitive stays the same when something moves: Vaikai pasislėpė už medžio. (The children hid behind a tree.)
Distance and time
Už + genitive can also say how far away or how far ahead something is: Gyvenu už penkių kilometrų nuo centro. (I live five kilometers from the center.) Grįšiu už savaitės. (I will be back in a week.) Po savaitės means the same thing here.
At the table and at the wheel
Two everyday phrases: sėsti už stalo (to sit down at the table) and sėdėti už vairo (to be at the wheel).
Two cases, two meanings
- už + genitive: behind, beyond: už namo
- už + accusative: for, in exchange for: Ačiū už pagalbą. See For and In Exchange For With Už. In comparisons it means than: vyresnis už mane. See Than: Negu, Nei and Už.
The opposite of behind is in front of: Before, Ago and in Front Of.
Examples (6)
- Mašina stovi už namo.
The car is parked behind the house.
Word by Word: Car stands behind house-GEN.
- Mes gyvename už miesto.
We live out of town.
Word by Word: We live beyond town-GEN.
- Už lango sninga.
It is snowing outside the window.
Word by Word: Beyond window-GEN (it) snows.
- Parduotuvė yra čia pat už kampo.
The shop is just around the corner.
Word by Word: Shop is right-here behind corner-GEN.
- Saulė nusileido už miško.
The sun set behind the forest.
Word by Word: Sun set behind forest-GEN.
Movement behind something also takes the genitive.
- Grįšiu už savaitės.
I will be back in a week.
Word by Word: (I) will-return beyond week-GEN.
Common Mistakes
Using the accusative for behind.
Mašina stovi už namą.Mašina stovi už namo.Už + accusative means for or in exchange for. For behind, use the genitive: už namo.
Using the genitive for thanks.
Ačiū už pagalbos.Ačiū už pagalbą.When you thank someone for something, už takes the accusative: už pagalbą, už dovaną.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Už with the genitive means behind or beyond a landmark.
Related Patterns
- prieš + accusativeBefore, Ago and in Front of
Prieš means in front of, the opposite of behind.
Level 2 - Comparison: negu / nei / užThan: Negu, Nei and Už
In comparisons, už takes the accusative and means than.
Level 3 - po + instrumentalUnder with Po
Another place preposition: under.
Level 3 - šalia / netoli + genitiveNext to and Near
More place words that take the genitive.
Level 3 - anapus / abipus + genitiveBeyond and on Both Sides
Anapus means on the other side, a more formal way to say beyond.
Level 6
Words in This Pattern
Practice už + genitive in Bubblegum
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