to stalk / recreate / adjust
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to stalk someone
To persistently follow, harass, or lie in wait for someone in an unwanted way. This is often referred to as stalking.
Sie hat ihn angezeigt, weil er ihr seit Monaten nachstellt.
She reported him because he has been stalking her for months.
to recreate
To repeat or reconstruct an event, scene, or situation true to the original. Often used in police investigations or historical performances.
Für die Dokumentation wurde die historische Schlacht auf dem Feld nachgestellt.
For the documentary, the historic battle was recreated in the field.
to adjust
To reset or adjust a clock or another mechanical device because it no longer shows the correct time or position.
Nach der Zeitumstellung im Frühling muss ich alle meine Uhren nachstellen.
After the time change in spring, I have to adjust all my clocks.
'Nachstellen' is a separable verb. The prefix 'nach-' goes to the end in a main clause. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
Er stellt die Uhr eine Stunde nach.
He sets the clock back one hour.
You can recognize the meaning from the object: if a person in the dative follows, it means 'verfolgen' (to pursue/stalk). If a thing (scene, accident) in the accusative follows, it means 'rekonstruieren' (to reconstruct). If a clock in the accusative follows, it means 'einstellen' (to set/adjust).
Der Detektiv stellte dem Verdächtigen nach.
The detective stalked the suspect.
In the meaning 'verfolgen/belästigen' (to pursue/harass), 'nachstellen' is always used with a dative object. You stalk 'jemandem' (someone, dative), not 'jemanden' (someone, accusative).
Der Mann wurde verurteilt, weil er seiner Ex-Freundin nachgestellt hat.
The man was convicted because he had stalked his ex-girlfriend.
When it is about reconstructing something, the verb is often combined with words like 'eine Szene' (a scene), 'einen Unfall' (an accident), 'ein Verbrechen' (a crime), or 'eine Schlacht' (a battle).
Die Ermittler haben den Tathergang am Tatort nachgestellt.
The investigators recreated the sequence of events at the crime scene.
In the meaning 'justieren' (to adjust), 'nachstellen' almost always refers to timekeeping devices. Typical objects are 'die Uhr' (the clock/watch), 'den Wecker' (the alarm clock), or 'den Timer' (the timer).
Meine Armbanduhr geht falsch, ich muss sie nachstellen.
My wristwatch is showing the wrong time; I have to adjust it.
to hire / adjust / stop
Einstellen a clock generally means adjusting it to a desired time. Nachstellen is especially appropriate when its display is already wrong and needs to be corrected. Therefore, use einstellen when setting a new time and nachstellen when correcting a deviation.
Weil die Uhr fünf Minuten vorgeht, stelle ich sie nach.
Because the clock is five minutes fast, I adjust it.
Nach dem Batteriewechsel stelle ich die Uhr auf acht Uhr ein.
After replacing the battery, I set the clock to eight o’clock.
