"A buszok nem elöl vannak, hanem hátul."

Translation: The buses are not at the front, but at the back.

[becka785466]

Wondering if my translation should have been right... the buses are not in front but in back. Is the use of "the" really required here?

[wxfrog]

There is a raging debate about this in the German forum, but "in back" is fine IMO.

[Martybet]

'Back' should be fine but in this sentence, the English would need to read 'AT the back' '

[wxfrog]

This is the raging debate in the German forum. In back is perfectly acceptable, as is in the back. At the back sounds strange, but probably should be accepted. Native speaker of American English living in New England.

[Martybet]

Well, I guess that is where the discrepancy arises. Native speaker of English English from 'Old' England :-)

[Judit294350]

Native NZ English speaker. "in back" sounds off. "at the back" sounds right.

[Patricia460976]

Have you not heard, "he's at the back of the line?" Also USA speaker from north eastern regions. Also living in New England.

[GerSzej]

can someone explain the difference between elött and elöl as well as hátul and mögött. Thank you

[jsiehler]

Use valami előtt if you want to say "in front of something." A tanár az iskola előtt van, the teacher is in front of the school.

Use elöl if you mean "in the front" or "up front" or "in front, generally". A vezető elöl van, the leader is in front.

Likewise, valami mögött means "behind something" but hátul means "at the back" or "behind, generally."

[GerSzej]

thank you for this very clear explanation

[ion1122]

I'd say it is the difference between a preposition (or rather postposition!) and an adverb.

[Krisbaudi]

Why is my translation wrong: The buses are not in front, but behind.

[jsiehler]

That's fine - I'd report it if it comes up again for you.

[Krisbaudi]

Thank you :-)

[jeliason]

Instead of "behind", for "hátul", why can't you say in back?

[chris317858]

"In back" is correct. The word "behind" cannot stand alone, just like "mögött" cannot stand alone.
Behind the table = Az asztal mögött
Behind the chair = A szék mögött
Furthermore, the word "behind" is a preposition. You cannot end a sentence with a preposition. Therefore, it is grammatically incorrect.

[CraigPesti]

My answer: The buses are not in front but are in back. This was marked incorrect. But the Magyar-Angol Szotar gives this definition of hátul: "at the back, in the rear." To say something is in the back is perfectly good English usage meaning, in this case, the buses are at the back side of the building, or whatever the referent is.

[Martybet]

If 'at the front' and 'at the back' are not accepted here, how do you express this?

[ion1122]

in front
in back

(US English)

[akilleyca.48]

But it doesn't accept 'in back' so you get the unidiomatic pairing of 'in front' and 'behind'....

[Patricia460976]

Out front and out back? Would that version translate differently?

[Patricia460976]

Also works for me. I have heard "they're out front, playing." And similarly "out back in the yard."