Meaning 1neutral · 82%
To investigate a clue or question further to find its cause or answer.
Natural examples
Die Polizei ging dem Hinweis auf den Einbruch nach.
Police investigated the tip about the break-in.
Der Techniker ging der Ursache des Fehlers nach.
The technician investigated the cause of the error.
Sie ging der Frage nach, wer den Schlüssel genommen hatte.
She looked into who had taken the key.
Usage note
Separable verb, usually with dative. Its perfect uses sein in the sense of investigating.
Mini-lesson: nachgehen
To investigate a clue or question further to find its cause or answer. Separable verb, usually with dative. Its perfect uses sein in the sense of investigating.
Check your learning
Choose one answer.Which definition matches «nachgehen»?