to look up / to hit back
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to look up
To search for and find information in a reference work such as a dictionary, an encyclopedia, or a database.
Wenn du die genaue Definition wissen willst, musst du das Wort im Duden nachschlagen.
If you want to know the exact definition, you have to look up the word in the Duden.
'Nachschlagen' (to look up / to hit back) is a separable verb. The prefix 'nach-' comes at the end in a main clause. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
Ich schlage schnell die Adresse nach.
I'll quickly look up the address.
When you are searching for information, the verb often follows the pattern: 'etwas (Akkusativ) in etwas (Dativ) nachschlagen' (to look something up in something). The accusative names the information, and the dative names the source.
Ich muss die Öffnungszeiten im Internet nachschlagen.
I have to look up the opening hours online.
Typically, you look up information. Common objects are: 'ein Wort' (a word), 'eine Definition' (a definition), 'eine Adresse' (an address), 'eine Telefonnummer' (a telephone number), or 'eine Information' (a piece of information). Sources are often 'das Wörterbuch' (the dictionary), 'das Lexikon' (the encyclopedia/reference book), or 'das Internet' (the internet).
Kannst du die Telefonnummer für mich im Verzeichnis nachschlagen?
Can you look up the telephone number for me in the directory?
The meaning 'zurückschlagen' (to hit back) is rare and becomes clear through the context of a physical fight. The most common meaning, 'Informationen suchen' (to search for information), can be recognized by the fact that there is an object (the information) and often a source (e.g. 'im Buch' (in the book)).
Er schlug die Bedeutung des Wortes im Lexikon nach.
He looked up the meaning of the word in the encyclopedia.
to search / look for
'suchen' and 'nachschlagen' can both have to do with information. 'suchen' is more general: you are trying to find an answer, an explanation, or a solution, even without knowing exactly where it is. 'nachschlagen' is used when you look specifically in a source, for example in a dictionary, a book, a list, or a database. Learners may confuse the words because when you look something up, you are also searching. 'nachschlagen' is more precise when it is clear that you want to check a piece of information in a reference work or a similar source.
Im Zug hat Anna das unbekannte Wort im Online-Wörterbuch nachgeschlagen.
On the train, Anna looked up the unfamiliar word in the online dictionary.
Wir suchen nach einer Erklärung für den Fehler im Programm.
We are looking for an explanation for the error in the program.