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Prepositions

All prepositions are always used with the absolutive case.

Viewpoint prepositions

  • en: sets the observer

The default viewpoint is the speaker's. In order to set a different viewpoint, we use "en". For example, "en la dome" means as viewed from the house.

Spatiotemporal movement prepositions

  • ec: from
  • adh: to
  • trans: throughout, all the way through

These prepositions indicate movement away from or towards a reference point in space or time. They can be used independently or in combination with other prepositions to specify directionality.

Spatial (curve-defined) prepositions

  • im: inside
  • aut: outside
  • sam: on the same side
  • oth: on the other side
  • lim: on boundary

There is a natural curve surrounding objects, the horizon. Therefore, we use "eclim" and "adhlim" to indicate the rising and setting of celestial objects.

Spatial (curve-defined) movement prepositions

These are used to indicate the clockwise or counter-clockwise movement while traversing a curve. They are more general and are not limited to circular paths, but they are defined by whether the movement has the interior on the left-hand side or on the right-hand side.

  • deth: clockwise along boundary
  • leth: counter-clockwise along boundary

Spatial/temporal prepositions

  • ap: above/on top of/on

  • sub: under/underneath

  • lejo: left of

  • decs: right of

  • epi: in front of (temporal: after)

  • pro: behind (temporal: before)

  • nebe: against/next to

  • gege: opposite of

  • um: around

  • on: in/on/at a location or time
  • inter: between (exclusive)
  • interim: between (inclusive)
  • cui: every (e.g., every 2 minutes, every 3 meters)
  • dum: during

Temporally, epi means after the reference point, and pro means before it. We use the same viewpoint for spatial epi and pro, ie epi en la dome is more accurately translated as "after the house" close to what we mean by "behind the house".

Instrumental prepositions

  • per: by the means of
  • con: with
  • sin: without

Causal prepositions

  • ja: for (purpose)
  • por: for (beneficiary)
  • anstata: instead of
  • chor: except for
  • lau: according to
  • anti: against (e.g., against the rules)

Relational prepositions

  • de: of (inalienable possession)
  • du: of (alienable possession)
  • pri: about, concerning, on the subject of, regarding
  • meta: self-referentially, about itself

Examples

  1. jogavul puerilis on la dome.

    • translation: All the children are playing in the house.
    • explanation: The house is viewed as a location, so we use "on" not "im".

  2. manerovas im la dome.

    • translation: We'll stay at home.
    • explanation: The house is viewed as a building, defined by its surrounding walls, so we use "im" not "on".