Nachher

Nachher is a German adverb meaning "afterwards" or "later." It denotes that an action or event occurs after the present moment or after something already mentioned. It is common in everyday speech and informal writing.

Etymology: It descends from older Germanic forms such as Middle High German nâcher or nacher, built from nach (after) and her (toward here). The word has parallels in other West Germanic languages and has retained its temporal sense in modern German.

Usage and nuance: Nachher is typically used for near-future reference or for events following a previous part of the discourse. It contrasts with danach (afterwards in a more structural sequence) and with später (later, more general in time). In many contexts, nachher emphasizes immediacy, as in "Ich komme nachher" (I’ll come later/soon). It also appears in fixed expressions like "Nachher ist man klüger" (Hindsight is 20/20).

Grammar and placement: As an adverb, nachher does not affect word order; it usually appears after the verb or at the end of the clause: "Ich erledige das jetzt und rufe dich nachher an." It can also begin a sentence: "Nachher gehen wir ins Kino." It does not take inflection.

Regional and stylistic notes: The term is widespread across German-speaking regions and remains common in colloquial speech. In formal writing, speakers often replace it with später or danach, depending on precision.