after this / according to this
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after this
Indicates a chronological sequence and means 'after this event' or 'afterward'. It is mainly used in formal or written language.
Zuerst wird der Antrag geprüft; hiernach erhalten Sie eine schriftliche Benachrichtigung.
First, the application will be reviewed; after this, you will receive a written notification.
The word is made up of 'hier' (here) and 'nach' (after). 'Hier' functions like a pointing finger and refers to something that was mentioned directly before in the sentence or context. 'Hiernach' therefore literally means 'after this'.
Zuerst lesen Sie den Text. Hiernach beantworten Sie die Fragen.
First, read the text. After this, answer the questions.
As an adverb, 'hiernach' can stand at the beginning of the sentence in position 1. In this case, the verb follows directly after it in position 2. However, it can also stand after the verb within the sentence.
Hiernach beginnt die eigentliche Untersuchung.
After this, the actual investigation begins.
'Hiernach' belongs to formal written language and is often used in official, legal, or academic texts. In everyday spoken language, it sounds very stiff.
Der Vertrag ist von beiden Parteien zu unterzeichnen; hiernach ist er rechtskräftig.
The contract must be signed by both parties; after this, it becomes legally binding.
If 'hiernach' refers to an action or event, it means 'danach' (afterward, in a temporal sense). If it refers to a rule, a paragraph, or a piece of information, it means 'gemäß diesem' (according to this) or 'daraus folgend' (as a result of this, in a logical sense).
Die Zeugen wurden befragt, hiernach wurde die Sitzung geschlossen.
The witnesses were questioned; after this, the session was closed.
afterward / after that
'danach' and 'hiernach' can both express that something comes after a previously mentioned event. 'danach' is the normal everyday word and almost always fits in conversation. It can be meant temporally, as in 'later', or it can express a consequence. 'hiernach' has a similar meaning, but it sounds more formal and is more often used in written texts, rules, or official explanations. Learners may confuse the words because both refer back to something previous. As a practical rule: in normal conversations, 'danach' is almost always more natural; 'hiernach' is more suitable for texts that sound factual or official.
Hiernach ist der Antrag innerhalb von zwei Wochen zu beantworten.
According to this, the application must be answered within two weeks.
Zuerst besprechen wir den Plan, danach gehen wir gemeinsam einkaufen.
First we discuss the plan; after that, we go shopping together.