01
nach
to
Indicates a direction or destination. Often used for cities, countries without an article, and directions like left or right.
example
Wir fahren morgen nach Berlin.
We're driving to Berlin tomorrow.
nach
to / after / according to
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Always with dative
The preposition 'nach' always takes the dative. Make sure to decline the noun and article after 'nach' correctly.
EXAMPLE
Nach einem langen Arbeitstag bin ich müde.
After a long workday, I'm tired.
Geographic destinations
'Nach' is used for directions to geographic destinations without an article. This applies to cities, continents, and most countries.
EXAMPLE
Im Sommer fliege ich nach Italien.
In the summer, I'm flying to Italy.
Fixed expression
The expression 'nach Hause' (home, toward home) is a fixed exception and means movement to the place where you live. Don't confuse it with 'zu Hause' (at home), which describes being there.
EXAMPLE
Nach der Party fahre ich direkt nach Hause.
After the party, I'm going straight home.
Postposed position
In the meaning 'gemäß' (according to), 'nach' can also stand after the noun or pronoun it refers to. This construction is very common.
EXAMPLE
Meiner Ansicht nach sollten wir das Projekt starten.
In my view, we should start the project.
Sensory impressions
To describe a smell, taste, or impression, 'nach' is combined with verbs of perception such as 'riechen' (to smell), 'schmecken' (to taste), or 'aussehen' (to look).
EXAMPLE
Deine Hände riechen nach Seife.
Your hands smell like soap.
Fixed verbs
There are fixed verb-preposition combinations with 'nach'. Common examples are 'fragen nach' (to ask for/about), 'suchen nach' (to search for), and 'sich sehnen nach' (to long for).
EXAMPLE
Der Tourist fragte nach dem kürzesten Weg.
The tourist asked for the shortest way.
Compare with
nach vs in
in
'in' and 'nach' can both express a direction or a time. For places, you use 'in' when going into a room, a building, or a country with an article. 'nach' is often used with cities, countries without an article, and directions like left or right. With time, the difference is different: 'in' says how long it is until a point in time, for example 'in zwei Stunden' (in two hours). 'nach' says that something happens later than another event, for example 'nach dem Essen' (after eating / after the meal). They are easy to confuse because both occur with place and time, but the question is different: where exactly to? or when in relation to something?
nach
Nach dem Abendessen hat sie noch einen Spaziergang gemacht.
After dinner, she went for another walk.
in
Lukas fährt im Sommer in die Schweiz.
Lukas is going to Switzerland in the summer.
In real life
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