Overview
This guide teaches position words for describing where something is.
Level 1
Learn på, i, under, and over as visual relationships.
på
on
touching the surface
i
in
inside something
under
under
below the object
over
over
above the object
Use på when the object touches a surface, i when it is inside, under when it is below, and over when it is above without necessarily touching.
Examples
Koppen er på bordet.
The cup is on the table.
Katten er i boksen.
The cat is in the box.
Level 3
Add foran, bak, and mellom for relative position.
foran
in front of
nearer to you
bak
behind
on the far side
mellom
between
in the middle
på
on
on a surface
Foran is on the front/near side, bak is behind, and mellom requires the subject to be between two reference objects.
Examples
Ballen er foran boksen.
The ball is in front of the box.
Boka er mellom stolene.
The book is between the chairs.
Level 5
Ved siden av means next to or beside.
ved siden av
next to
beside something
mellom
between
between two things
foran
in front of
front side
bak
behind
back side
Treat ved siden av as one preposition phrase meaning next to or beside. Do not answer with only one of its words.
Examples
Koppen er ved siden av boka.
The cup is next to the book.