nachkommen
to follow later
To follow someone to a place or arrive there later than others.
EXAMPLE
Geht ihr schon mal ins Restaurant, ich komme in zehn Minuten nach.
You go ahead to the restaurant; I'll follow later in ten minutes.
nachkommen
to follow later / comply
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Meanings
einer Sache nachkommen
to comply with
To fulfill a duty, request, demand, or obligation.
EXAMPLE
Der Händler ist seiner Verpflichtung zur Lieferung der Ware nicht nachgekommen.
The dealer did not comply with his obligation to deliver the goods.
nachkommen
to keep up
To be able to keep pace or manage the amount of work. Often used in the negative.
EXAMPLE
Wir haben so viele Bestellungen, dass ich mit dem Verpacken kaum noch nachkomme.
We have so many orders that I can hardly keep up with the packing anymore.
Usage tips
Separable verb
'Nachkommen' (to follow later / comply) is a separable verb. In a main clause, the prefix 'nach-' goes at the end. In a subordinate clause or infinitive, the verb stays together.
EXAMPLE
Ich komme später zur Feier nach.
I'll follow later to the party.
Auxiliary verb 'sein'
Since 'nachkommen' (to follow later / comply) describes movement or a change, the perfect tense is always formed with the auxiliary verb 'sein'.
EXAMPLE
Sie ist erst eine Stunde später nachgekommen.
She followed later only an hour afterward.
Dative construction
In the meaning 'to fulfill', 'nachkommen' (to comply with) always requires an object in the dative. You comply with 'einer Sache' (something).
EXAMPLE
Bitte kommen Sie unserer Aufforderung umgehend nach.
Please comply with our request immediately.
Usage pattern
In the meaning 'to keep up', 'nachkommen' (to keep up) is very often negated or used with adverbs like 'kaum' (hardly). It often appears with the preposition 'mit' and a dative object.
EXAMPLE
Ich komme mit dem Lesen der E-Mails gar nicht mehr nach.
I can't keep up with reading the emails at all anymore.
Compare with
nachkommen vs folgen
to follow
Both verbs can express that someone responds to an instruction or other directive. Folgen is used especially with instructions, rules, or advice; nachkommen emphasizes fulfilling a request, demand, or duty. Therefore, one is more likely to folgt einer Anweisung and kommt einer Bitte oder Verpflichtung nach.
nachkommen
Mia kommt der Bitte nach und wartet vor der Tür.
Mia complies with the request and waits outside the door.
folgen
Mia folgt der Anweisung und wartet vor der Tür.
Mia follows the instruction and waits outside the door.
In real life
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