The Finnish word for behind can be confusing. Firstly, it isn’t a preposition, it’s a postposition, which means it occurs after the noun (the noun is in the genitive). Secondly, it changes according to the direction in which the person/item is moving. The shy little elf will show you how to use the words taakse, takana and takaa. Listening practice included!
Tonttu menee ruukun taakse.
The elf is going behind the flower pot.
Tonttu on ruukun takana.
The elf is behind the flower pot.
Tonttu tulee ruukun takaa.
The elf comes “from behind the flower pot”.
The opposite of takana is edessä, Finnish for “in front of”.
ruukun eteen (”to) – ruukun edessä – ruukun edestä (”from”)
You can practise your spelling with the sentences below (scroll down for the key).