need to catch up
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need to catch up
The need to catch up on something that was missed, neglected, or postponed. This can refer to knowledge, work, or developments.
Nach seiner langen Krankheit hatte der Schüler erheblichen Nachholbedarf in Mathematik.
After his long illness, the student had a considerable need to catch up in mathematics.
pent-up demand
In economics, accumulated demand for consumer goods or services that could not previously be satisfied over a longer period of time.
Nach dem Krieg gab es in der Bevölkerung einen enormen Nachholbedarf an langlebigen Konsumgütern.
After the war, there was enormous pent-up demand among the population for durable consumer goods.
The word is a combination of the verb 'nachholen' (to catch up) and the noun 'der Bedarf' (the need). So it literally means 'the need to catch something up'.
Nach den Ferien müssen wir den verpassten Stoff nachholen.
After the holidays, we have to catch up on the material we missed.
'Nachholbedarf' (need to catch up) is very often used with the verb 'haben' (to have). You can also say 'es besteht Nachholbedarf' (there is a need to catch up). Typical adjectives are 'groß' (great), 'erheblich' (considerable), or 'enorm' (enormous).
In diesem Bereich haben wir noch erheblichen Nachholbedarf.
In this area, we still have a considerable need to catch up.
To name the area in which the need exists, you use the preposition 'in' followed by the dative. For example, someone has 'Nachholbedarf' (a need to catch up) in a language or in a school subject.
Ich glaube, ich habe großen Nachholbedarf in deutscher Grammatik.
I think I have a great need to catch up in German grammar.
This meaning belongs to the technical language of economics. You can recognize it from words like 'Konsum' (consumption), 'Nachfrage' (demand), 'Markt' (market), or 'Wirtschaftswachstum' (economic growth) in the same context.
Nach der Krise führte der Nachholbedarf der Konsumenten zu einem Wirtschaftsaufschwung.
After the crisis, consumers' pent-up demand led to an economic upswing.
