dahinter
behind it
Indicates a position that is at the back of something or behind something.
EXAMPLE
Das Haus ist groß, und der Garten dahinter ist wunderschön.
The house is big, and the garden behind it is beautiful.
dahinter
behind it
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Meanings
dahinter
behind it
Refers to the hidden cause, the real reason, or the deeper meaning of something.
EXAMPLE
Er wirkt unglücklich, aber niemand weiß, was wirklich dahinter steckt.
He seems unhappy, but nobody knows what is really behind it.
dahinter sein
to be on it
To make a strong effort or be very committed in order to achieve a particular goal or complete a task.
EXAMPLE
Sie ist wirklich dahinter, die Prüfung mit einer guten Note zu bestehen.
She is really on it, trying to pass the exam with a good grade.
Usage tips
Word formation
'Dahinter' (behind it) is a pronominal adverb made up of 'da' and the preposition 'hinter' (behind). It literally means 'behind the/that' or 'behind it' and refers to something that was mentioned earlier.
EXAMPLE
Siehst du die große Tür? Dahinter ist der Konferenzraum.
Do you see the big door? Behind it is the conference room.
Sentence structure and use
'Dahinter' (behind it) replaces the combination 'hinter + noun' in order to avoid repetition. You use it when the place or thing is already known.
EXAMPLE
Vor dem Museum ist ein Parkplatz. Dahinter beginnt ein kleiner Wald.
In front of the museum is a parking lot. Behind it begins a small forest.
Typical collocations
In its figurative meaning, 'dahinter' (behind it) is often used in questions or fixed expressions to investigate the real reason. Very common are 'Was steckt dahinter?' (What's behind it?) or 'die Absicht dahinter' (the intention behind it).
EXAMPLE
Sein Angebot klingt zu gut. Ich frage mich, was dahinter steckt.
His offer sounds too good. I wonder what is behind it.
Fixed expression
The expression 'dahinter sein' means that someone is trying very hard to make sure something gets done. It is often followed by a construction with 'dass' (that) or 'zu' + infinitive.
EXAMPLE
Der Chef ist dahinter, dass das Projekt pünktlich fertig wird.
The boss is on it, making sure that the project is finished on time.
Compare with
dahinter vs dahinterstecken
to be behind
Dahinter refers to a hidden reason, motive, or deeper meaning. Dahinterstecken is the appropriate verb when you say that a cause or person is behind something. “Was steckt dahinter?” asks what is behind something, while “X steckt dahinter” names the cause.
dahinter
Ich frage mich, welches Motiv dahintersteckt.
I wonder what motive is behind it.
dahinterstecken
Hinter dem seltsamen Verhalten steckt wahrscheinlich ein Missverständnis.
A misunderstanding is probably behind the strange behavior.
In real life
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