to look up / check
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to look up
To search for information in a reference work such as a book, dictionary, encyclopedia, or on the internet in order to verify or find it.
Ich muss die genaue Bedeutung dieses Wortes im Wörterbuch nachschauen.
I need to look up the exact meaning of this word in the dictionary.
to check
To check or verify whether everything is all right with someone or something.
Kannst du bitte mal im Kinderzimmer nachschauen, ob die Kinder schon schlafen?
Could you please check in the children's room to see whether the children are already asleep?
to watch go
To follow someone or something with your eyes as they move away.
Sie schaute dem abfahrenden Zug lange nach, bis er am Horizont verschwand.
She watched the departing train go for a long time until it disappeared on the horizon.
'Nachschauen' (to look up/check) is a separable verb. The prefix 'nach-' stands at the end in a main clause; in subordinate clauses the verb stays together, and in the infinitive with 'zu', 'zu' stands between 'nach' and 'schauen'.
Ich schaue später nach, ob wir noch Milch haben.
I'll check later whether we still have milk.
The verb consists of the prefix 'nach-' and the verb 'schauen' (to look). The prefix 'nach-' often expresses a following or checking action, which can be seen in all meanings.
Schau bitte mal nach dem Kuchen im Ofen.
Please check on the cake in the oven.
When you are looking for information, you typically look it up 'im Internet' (on the internet), 'im Wörterbuch' (in the dictionary), or 'in den Unterlagen' (in the documents). What you are looking for is often in the accusative.
Kannst du die Adresse für mich im Internet nachschauen?
Can you look up the address on the internet for me?
In the meaning 'kontrollieren' (to check), 'nachschauen' (to check) is very often used with a subordinate clause that begins with 'ob' (whether/if). This expresses exactly what is being checked.
Ich gehe kurz nachschauen, ob die Haustür abgeschlossen ist.
I'll quickly go check whether the front door is locked.
When you follow someone or something with your eyes, the object is always in the dative. You look after 'jemandem' (someone) or 'etwas' (something).
Die Mutter schaute ihrem Kind nach, als es zum ersten Mal allein zur Schule ging.
The mother watched her child go as they went to school alone for the first time.
to look up / read up
Both nachlesen and nachschauen can be used to check information. Nachlesen emphasizes reading a specific detail to confirm something or refresh your memory, while nachschauen more generally refers to searching for and finding the information. When the act of reading is important, nachlesen is especially suitable.
Ich schaue die benötigte Mehlmenge noch einmal im Rezept nach.
I will look up the required amount of flour in the recipe again.
Ich lese die benötigte Mehlmenge noch einmal im Rezept nach.
I will read the required amount of flour in the recipe again.
