nachgehen
pursue · follow up · follow
The German word "nachgehen" is a verb that means "to pursue," "to follow," or "to go after." It is a compound of "nach" (after) and "gehen" (to go). The term is often used in contexts related to investigating or following a lead, as well as in a more general sense of attending to duties or responsibilities.
Similar words in German include "verfolgen" (to follow or to chase), "nachforschen" (to investigate), and "hintersuchen" (to delve into). The main difference is that "nachgehen" often implies a continuous or habitual action, while "verfolgen" may suggest a more active pursuit, and "nachforschen" typically focuses on research or investigation rather than simply following or attending to something.
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Examples
Ich gehe meiner Leidenschaft nach.verb
I am pursuing my passion.
Er geht dem Hinweis sorgfältig nach.verb
He carefully follows up on the hint.
Er geht seinen Hobbys im Keller nach.verb
He pursues his hobbies in the basement.
Er geht dem Geräusch nach.verb
He follows the sound.
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