nachfragen

Nachfragen is a German verb meaning to ask again, to inquire further, or to request additional information. It is used when someone seeks clarification, confirmation, or more detail after an initial answer. The term is common in personal, administrative, and professional communication.

The verb is separable: prefix nach- with the verb fragen. In present tense you say ich frage nach, du fragst nach, er fragt nach. In the past tense you can use ich fragte nach or the perfect form ich habe nachgefragt. The future is formed with werde nachfragen. Examples: Darf ich kurz nachfragen, wann der Termin beginnt? Könnten Sie bitte nachfragen, ob alle Unterlagen vollständig sind? Er hat gestern nachgefragt.

Nachfragen can also function as a noun in plural as Nachfragen, meaning follow-up questions or further inquiries. The singular noun Nachfrage can mean an inquiry or, more commonly in economics, demand. In everyday use, Nachfragen (as questions) appear in contexts such as interviews, meetings, or customer service, while Nachfrage (in economic contexts) denotes market demand.

Relation to similar terms: nachfragen is generally courteous and non-confrontational, whereas nachhaken implies a firmer, more insistent follow-up. Anfragen or Fragen are broader terms for asking; Nachfragen specifically emphasizes seeking additional details or clarification after an initial response.

In summary, nachfragen is a versatile verb for polite follow-up inquiries, with corresponding noun forms that distinguish between follow-up questions and broader notions of demand in economics.