rückwärtige

Rückwärtige is a German adjective meaning "rear," "back," or "posterior." It is the feminine or plural form of the adjective "rückwärtig." The word is derived from "rückwärts," meaning "backward" or "backwards," and the suffix "-ig," which forms adjectives. In a spatial context, "rückwärtige" refers to something located at the back or rear of an object or space. For example, one might speak of the "rückwärtige Tür" (rear door) or the "rückwärtige Seite" (back side). It can also describe movement in a backward direction. Beyond the literal, "rückwärtige" can also be used metaphorically to indicate something in the past or a prior state, though this usage is less common. The masculine singular form is "rückwärtiger," and the neuter singular form is "rückwärtiges." Understanding "rückwärtige" is important for comprehending German descriptions of location, direction, and sometimes temporal sequence.