achter

Achter is a common Dutch word with multiple functions. Primarily, it is a preposition and an adverb meaning behind or at the rear of something. It can also function as an adjective in compounds or as a prefix in certain verb forms.

As a preposition or adverb, achter indicates position in space or order. Examples include phrases like achter het huis (behind the house), achter de deur (behind the door), or achter de winkel staan (to stand behind the shop). It is also used in directional and figurative expressions, such as achter de feiten aanlopen (to lag behind the facts) or achteraf (in hindsight, afterwards). The word easily combines with other elements to form common idioms, such as achter de schermen (behind the scenes) and achter elkaar (one after another).

As part of compounds, achter often denotes a later stage or something that follows another in sequence. For instance, achter de rug hebben means to have something behind you or to have completed it, and achteraf can signal reflection after an event. The term can also describe physical or conceptual rear locations, such as het achterwerk (the rear end) or een achterstand (a backlog or arrears).

Etymologically, achter comes from the Dutch stem historically linked to German hinter, with related forms in other West Germanic languages. The word is firmly established in everyday Dutch and appears in both spoken and written forms.

In summary, achter is a versatile Dutch term used for spatial, temporal, and idiomatic purposes. Its widespread use in phrases and compounds reflects its central role in describing what lies at the back or what follows in a sequence.