nachsehen
to look up
To check something by searching for information in a particular place, for example in a book or on the internet.
EXAMPLE
Ich muss die genaue Adresse im Internet nachsehen.
I need to look up the exact address on the internet.
nachsehen
to look up / check / forgive
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Meanings
nachsehen
to check on
To go and check whether everything is all right.
EXAMPLE
Kannst du bitte mal nach den Kindern sehen, es ist so still im Zimmer.
Could you please go check on the children? It's so quiet in the room.
jemandem etwas nachsehen
to forgive someone for something
To forgive someone for a mistake or misbehavior and not hold it against them.
EXAMPLE
Sieh es mir bitte nach, dass ich deinen Geburtstag vergessen habe.
Please forgive me for forgetting your birthday.
jemandem nachsehen
to watch someone go
To follow someone or something with your eyes as they move away.
EXAMPLE
Sie stand am Fenster und sah dem Zug nach, bis er am Horizont verschwand.
She stood at the window and watched the train go until it disappeared on the horizon.
Usage tips
Separable verb
'Nachsehen' is a separable verb. The prefix 'nach-' comes at the end of the main clause. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
EXAMPLE
Ich sehe schnell die Öffnungszeiten nach.
I'll quickly look up the opening hours.
Context clue: case
The case of the object helps you recognize the meaning. 'Etwas (Akkusativ) nachsehen' means to check information. 'Jemandem (Dativ) nachsehen' means to watch a person as they leave. 'Jemandem (Dativ) etwas (Akkusativ) nachsehen' means to forgive a mistake.
EXAMPLE
Kannst du die Telefonnummer nachsehen? (Information)
Can you look up the phone number? (information)
Typical collocations
When it is about checking information, the place where you search is often mentioned. Typical phrases are 'im Wörterbuch nachsehen' (to look up in the dictionary), 'im Internet nachsehen' (to look up on the internet), or 'in den Unterlagen nachsehen' (to check in the documents).
EXAMPLE
Wenn du das Wort nicht kennst, sieh doch im Wörterbuch nach.
If you don't know the word, just look it up in the dictionary.
Sentence structure: checking
In the meaning 'to check whether everything is all right', the preposition 'nach' + dative is often used. Another common construction is a subordinate clause with 'ob' (whether/if).
EXAMPLE
Der Vater geht nachts oft nach seinem kranken Sohn sehen.
The father often goes to check on his sick son at night.
Dative construction
In the meaning 'to forgive', the verb always needs a person in the dative. This is the person whose mistake you forgive. The mistake itself is in the accusative.
EXAMPLE
Bitte sieh es mir nach, ich habe es nicht mit Absicht getan.
Please forgive me for it; I didn't do it on purpose.
Compare with
nachsehen vs vergeben
to assign / to forgive / to miss
Both words can express that you no longer hold someone’s mistake against them. Vergeben suggests complete forgiveness, while jemandem etwas nachsehen often refers to tolerantly overlooking a minor mistake. For a serious offense, vergeben is more appropriate; for a small mishap, nachsehen is often the better choice.
nachsehen
Ich sehe dir den kleinen Fehler bei der Präsentation nach.
I forgive you for the small mistake you made during the presentation.
vergeben
Nach seiner ehrlichen Entschuldigung konnte ich ihm den schweren Fehler vergeben.
After his sincere apology, I was able to forgive him for the serious mistake.
In real life
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