Hinterherjagen

Hinterherjagen is a German verb that means to chase after someone or something, often with persistence or urgency. The term can be used for literal pursuit, such as running after a person or animal, or for figurative pursuit, like chasing opportunities, trends, or a goal. It frequently conveys a sense of effort that is tireless and sometimes futile or impractical.

Etymology and grammar: hinterherjagen combines the prefix hinterher- with the verb jagen (to hunt or chase). It is a separable verb; in present tense you typically say Ich jage dir hinterher. In the perfect tense you form it with sein: Ich bin dir hinterhergejagt. The simple past is Ich jagte dir hinterher.

Usage and nuance: The expression carries a connotation of relentless pursuit and can imply annoyance or futility when the pursued target remains out of reach. It is common in everyday language and can describe personal behavior or cultural phenomena, such as chasing the latest trend or opportunity. Example: Er jagt ihr ständig hinterher, obwohl sie kein Interesse hat. In a business or social context, one might say, Viele Marken jagen dem neuesten Trend hinterher, oft auf Kosten der eigenen Position.

Alternatives and related terms: Verfolgen is a broader, more neutral term for pursuing or tracking something or someone, while Nachjagen and hinterlaufen are close synonyms with slightly different nuances. See also synonyms like nachjagen, verfolgen, oder hinterherlaufen.

Overall, hinterherjagen denotes persistent pursuit, with a nuance that it may be strenuous, impractical, or driven by a sense of urgency.