Path and trajectory prepositions (genom, mot, längs)

When exploring the outdoors, you will often need to describe your route. Here are three essential prepositions for paths and trajectories.

Through a space with "genom"

To say you are moving "through" an area, use genom.

There is a path through the meadow.
Det finns en stig genom ängen.
We go out through the gate.
Vi går ut genom grinden.

Heading towards a destination with "mot"

When your movement is directed towards something, use mot.

The path leads towards the cliff.
Stigen leder mot klippan.
They hurry towards the rest area.
De skyndar sig mot rastplatsen.

Following a line with "längs"

If a path or movement follows alongside something continuous, use längs (along). You may also hear this as längs med.

We hurry along the stream.
Vi skyndar oss längs bäcken.
The fence goes along the ravine.
Staketet går längs ravinen.

Putting it all together

You can easily chain these prepositions to describe a complete scenic route.

We go up towards the viewpoint.
Vi går upp mot utsiktsplatsen.
The path leads through the meadow towards the viewpoint.
Stigen leder genom ängen mot utsiktsplatsen.

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