nach

Nach is a German preposition and a productive prefix. As a preposition it expresses spatial, temporal, or figurative relations and governs the dative case. In spatial use it marks a direction toward a place, typically without an article, as in wir fahren nach Berlin or wir gehen nach Hause. It is also used for cardinal directions, such as nach Osten or nach Süden, and with many place names to indicate direction.

In temporal contexts nach means after a point in time, as in nach zwei Stunden (after two hours) or nach dem Essen (after the meal). It also appears in phrases indicating succession or convention, like nach dem Motto (according to the motto) or nach den Regeln (according to the rules).

Nach functions widely as a figurative marker as well, for example in phrases meaning "in imitation of" or "following the model of," such as nach dem Vorbild von Bach (in imitation of Bach).

Nach- as a prefix attaches to verbs and other parts of speech to convey the sense of 'after' or 'in imitation of.' Examples include nachdenken (to think about / reflect), nachholen (to catch up / retrieve later), nachmachen (to imitate / copy), and nachbauen (to replicate). The prefix can form separable or inseparable compounds depending on the verb.

Etymologically, nach is of Germanic origin and is cognate with related forms in other West Germanic languages, such as Dutch naar ('to/toward'). Its use spans everyday direction and time expressions, fixed phrases, and a productive set of verbal compounds.