nachsuchen

Meaning (English)

„nachsuchen“ is a verb meaning:

1. to search for something afterward / to look for something again

• Often used when something is missing or was not found the first time.

2. to request / to apply for (something) afterward

• Used especially in formal/administrative contexts for making an additional request (e.g., for documents, support, permissions).

3. (Hunting context) to track and recover wounded game

• A specialized meaning: searching for an injured animal after a shot (“Nachsuche”).

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Word parts

• nach- = after, again, subsequently; following
• suchen = to search, to look for

So nachsuchen literally suggests “to search after” or “to search again later.”

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German synonyms

Depending on the meaning:

1) search again / afterward

• weitersuchen
• erneut suchen
• nach etwas suchen
• suchen (general)

2) request/apply afterward (formal)

• beantragen
• ersuchen (formal)
• anfragen
• nachfordern (often for missing documents/information)

3) hunting

• eine Nachsuche machen
• verwundetes Wild suchen (descriptive)

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German antonyms (where applicable)

There is no single perfect antonym in all contexts, but depending on meaning:

1) search

• finden (to find, opposite outcome)
• aufhören zu suchen (to stop searching)

2) request

• zurückziehen (to withdraw an application/request)
• ablehnen (to refuse; from the other side)

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Notes on usage

• Common patterns: „nach etwas nachsuchen“ (to search for something), „um etwas nachsuchen“ (to request something).
• More formal than plain „suchen“ in meaning (2), and more specialized in meaning (3).