einer Sache nachgehen
to pursue
To engage in a particular activity, hobby, or profession.
EXAMPLE
In seiner Freizeit geht er dem Angeln nach.
In his free time, he pursues fishing.
nachgehen
to pursue / follow up
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Meanings
einer Sache nachgehen
to follow up
To investigate something or follow a lead in order to clarify it.
EXAMPLE
Die Polizei geht jedem Hinweis nach.
The police follow up every lead.
nachgehen
to run slow
(referring to a clock or watch) To run slower than the correct time; to show a later time.
EXAMPLE
Meine Armbanduhr geht pro Tag fünf Minuten nach.
My wristwatch runs five minutes slow per day.
jemandem nachgehen
to follow someone
To walk after someone or follow them.
EXAMPLE
Er ging ihr bis zur Haustür nach, um sicherzugehen, dass sie gut ankommt.
He followed her to the front door to make sure she arrived safely.
Usage tips
Separable verb
'Nachgehen' (to pursue / follow up) is a separable verb. The prefix 'nach-' comes at the end in a main clause. In subordinate clauses and infinitive constructions, the verb stays together.
EXAMPLE
Er geht seiner Leidenschaft für die Fotografie nach.
He pursues his passion for photography.
Dative construction
In most meanings, 'nachgehen' (to pursue / follow up) requires the dative. You go after 'einer Sache' (a thing) or 'jemandem' (someone), not 'eine Sache' or 'jemanden'.
EXAMPLE
Der Detektiv geht einer neuen Spur nach.
The detective is following up a new lead.
Typical collocations
When it is about activities, 'nachgehen' (to pursue) is often combined with 'einem Hobby' (a hobby), 'einer Tätigkeit' (an activity), 'einer Leidenschaft' (a passion), or 'seinem Beruf' (one's profession).
EXAMPLE
Nach der Arbeit geht sie ihrer Leidenschaft, dem Malen, nach.
After work, she pursues her passion, painting.
Typical collocations
In the context of investigations, 'nachgehen' (to follow up) is often used with 'einem Hinweis' (a lead), 'einer Spur' (a trail/lead), 'einem Verdacht' (a suspicion), or 'einer Frage' (a question).
EXAMPLE
Die Journalistin will der Sache weiter nachgehen.
The journalist wants to follow up the matter further.
Context clue: time
You can recognize this meaning by the fact that the subject of the sentence is a clock, watch, or another timekeeping device. Here the verb is used without an object.
EXAMPLE
Die alte Bahnhofsuhr geht schon seit Jahren nach.
The old station clock has been running slow for years.
Context clue: person
In the meaning 'folgen' (to follow), 'nachgehen' (to follow someone) always appears with a person (or an animal) in the dative. It describes concrete, physical movement.
EXAMPLE
Der Hund ging seinem Besitzer überallhin nach.
The dog followed its owner everywhere.
Compare with
nachgehen vs folgen
to follow
When walking behind someone, folgen and nachgehen can both be used. Folgen neutrally describes moving behind someone and can also be used for vehicles. Jemandem nachgehen places more emphasis on physically walking after someone.
nachgehen
Das Kind ging seiner Mutter in die Küche nach.
The child walked after its mother into the kitchen.
folgen
Das Kind folgte seiner Mutter in die Küche.
The child followed its mother into the kitchen.
In real life
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