Before you start
Meet nachfolgen
Read how the verb is used, then write your own 10 sentences with it.
Build the meaning
nach- + folgen
- nach-
- after someone or something in a sequence
- folgen
- to follow
To follow after someone is to come next in the sequence.
So nachfolgen means to follow; to succeed someone.
A memory aid, not a rule: prefixes change meaning from verb to verb.
Learning approach inspired by this explanation in r/German.
Separable verb: nach·folgen
In a main clause the prefix nach splits off and goes to the end. After weil, dass and other subordinating words, the verb stays in one piece at the end.
Main clauseDer neue Chef folgt dem alten nach.The new boss succeeds the old one.
Subordinate clauseSie bleibt, weil ihm viele Menschen nachfolgen.She stays because many people follow him.
Participle: nachgefolgtzu-infinitive: nachzufolgen
Forms
How nachfolgen changes
| Pronoun | Präsens | Präteritum |
|---|---|---|
| ich | folge nach | folgte nach |
| du | folgst nach | folgtest nach |
| er/sie/es | folgt nach | folgte nach |
| wir | folgen nach | folgten nach |
| ihr | folgt nach | folgtet nach |
| Sie | folgen nach | folgten nach |
Partizip II nachgefolgt · Perfekt with sein
Three examples
- 1Im Amt folgt ihr eine junge Frau nach.A young woman succeeds her in office.present, prefix at end
- 2Nach dem König ist sein Sohn nachgefolgt.His son succeeded the king.Perfekt with sein
- 3Ich weiß, dass ihm viele Menschen nachfolgen.I know that many people follow him.verb at the end after dass
Task 1 of 10 · Build a sentence
Build a German sentence using these words:
nachfolgen + der Vater
Your challenge
- 1Use the present tense.
- 2Make der Vater the person being followed.
Task 2 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
After the gamedas Spiel, the boyder Junge followed him home.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 3 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
When the oldalt kingder König diedsterben, his sonder Sohn succeeded him.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 4 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
She followed her motherdie Mutter because she was afraidängstlich.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 5 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
The childdas Kind whom the dogder Hund followed was happyglücklich.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 6 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
The new teacherder Lehrer, die Lehrerin wants to follow her colleagueder Kollege, die Kollegin.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 7 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
He decidedbeschließen to follow his sisterdie Schwester home.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 8 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
Which playerder Spieler did the new coachder Trainer succeed?
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 9 of 10 · Build a sentence
Build a German sentence using these words:
nachfolgen + der Sohn + obwohl
Your challenge
- 1Start with an obwohl-clause.
- 2Use the present tense in both clauses.
- 3Use a dative pronoun for der Vater.
Task 10 of 10 · Free writing
Answer in one full German sentence:
Whom would you follow if you moved to a new city?
Your challenge
- 1Answer with a wenn-clause.
- 2Use Konjunktiv II to describe the situation.
- 3Say whom you would follow.