01
hinter
behind
Indicates a position in a place (where?). Used with the dative.
example
Der Garten befindet sich hinter dem Haus.
The garden is located behind the house.
hinter
behind
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Two-way preposition
'Hinter' (behind) is a two-way preposition. If you can ask 'Wo?' (where?), use the dative. If you can ask 'Wohin?' (to where?), use the accusative.
EXAMPLE
Die Katze schläft hinter dem Sessel. (Wo? -> Dativ)
The cat is sleeping behind the armchair. (Where? -> dative)
Fixed expression
The idiom 'hinter jemandem stehen' (to stand behind someone) means to support someone loyally. In this expression, 'hinter' (behind) is always used with the dative because 'stehen' (to stand) describes a position.
EXAMPLE
Ich weiß, dass meine Freunde in dieser schweren Zeit hinter mir stehen.
I know that my friends stand behind me during this difficult time.
Context clue
In contexts of competition, sports, or performance, 'hinter' (behind) often means that someone has a lower rank or a worse position. It is used with the dative here.
EXAMPLE
Bei der Weltmeisterschaft landete das Team auf dem Platz hinter dem Favoriten.
At the world championship, the team finished in the place behind the favorite.
Typical collocations
There are several fixed expressions with 'hinter' (behind). 'Hinter dem Rücken von jemandem reden' (to talk behind someone's back) means to gossip, and 'etwas hinter sich haben' (to have something behind oneself) means to have finished something exhausting.
EXAMPLE
Ich mag es nicht, wenn Leute hinter meinem Rücken über mich reden.
I don't like it when people talk about me behind my back.
Compare with
hinter vs nach
to / after / according to
'nach' and 'hinter' can both describe a sequence. 'nach' says neutrally that something comes later or at a later point. 'hinter' can also mean a position in a sequence, but it often emphasizes that someone or something is farther back, for example in a list or ranking. Learners may confuse the words because both can sometimes seem like 'in second place'. As a practical rule: for a normal sequence, 'nach' fits better; for a position behind another person or for a rank, 'hinter' sounds more natural.
hinter
Im Wettbewerb lag Tom knapp hinter seiner Schwester.
In the competition, Tom was just behind his sister.
nach
Nach dem Mittagessen machen wir eine kurze Pause.
After lunch, we take a short break.
In real life
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