Nachforschen

Nachforschen is a German verb meaning to investigate further, inquire into details, or verify information. It denotes the act of pursuing leads or questions that are not yet resolved and is used in journalism, science, law enforcement, academia, and everyday speech.

The word combines the prefix nach- with forschen (to research). In present tense, the prefix is often separated: Ich forsche dem Verdacht nach. The past participle is nachgeforscht, used with haben in compound tenses: Ich habe nachgeforscht. The nuance is that nachforschen emphasizes following up on a specific question rather than general researching.

Typical uses include: Die Redaktion forschte nach weiteren Belegen; Historiker forschten der Spur nach; Ermittler forschten nach einem Hinweis.

Compared terms: Recherchieren refers to systematic or professional research, often for journalism or academia; untersuchen is a broader term for examining or studying something; nachgehen means to pursue or investigate a matter more generally.

Noun form: Nachforschung, meaning an inquiry or investigation. Related adjectives: nachforschend (investigative, inquisitive).