hinterher
/ˈhɪntɐˌhɛɐ̯/
The English word 'after' can be translated into German as hinterher or darauf.
Meaning: behind, later in time, following (adv)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA |
|---|---|
| hinterher | /ˈhɪntɐˌhɛɐ̯/ /hɪntɐˈhɛɐ̯/ |
| darauf | /daˈʁaʊ̯f/ /ˈdaːʁaʊ̯f/ |
In German, these words are used to describe things occurring behind, later in time or following something else. If you want to express that an action occurs after another action or event using a subordinating conjunction, you should use nachdem.
What does it mean word for word?
The word hinterher is a compound consisting of hinter (behind) and her (towards the speaker), which literally implies a movement or sequence following behind.
Which one should you use?
Use hinterher when describing a sequence of events or physical movement following something else, such as running after someone or doing something afterwards. Use darauf specifically to mean 'after that' or 'following that' in a temporal sequence, often to link two events in time.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈhɪntɐˌhɛɐ̯/
Did you know?
- The German language distinguishes between following something moving away from the speaker hin and following something moving toward the speaker her, as seen in the composition of hinterher.
- A German speaker might use hinterher colloquially to mean 'afterthoughts' or 'subsequent excuses' when someone is trying to justify a mistake they made. It implies the explanations are just trailing behind the actual event.
- The word darauf is built from da (there) and auf (up), meaning it literally describes something happening 'upon' or 'on top of' a previous event.
Examples in context
- Er kam kurz darauf an.He arrived shortly after.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use darauf.Tatoeba #547220 by samueldora, translation #299597 by CM
- Was rennt er hinterher?What is he running after?This sentence shows the use of hinterher for running after something.Tatoeba #6641589 by Felixjp, translation #294327 by CK
- Tom lief Maria hinterher.Tom chased after Mary.This sentence demonstrates using hinterher to describe chasing after someone.Tatoeba #2152793 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #1868423 by CK
- nach der Veranstaltungafter the event
- nach der Partyafter the party
- Wir gehen später ins Kino. Nachher gehen wir essenWe'll go to the cinema later. Afterwards, we'll grab something to eat
- Wir treffen uns und gehen danach tanzenWe meet up and go dancing afterward
- nachdem ich gekocht hatteafter I had cooked
- Ich gehe morgen nach der Arbeit ins Kino.I'm going to the cinema tomorrow after work.
- 43 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Laura and Lukas are talking about a movie.
- LauraKommst du mit ins Kino?Are you coming to the cinema?
- LukasJa, ich komme etwas später hinterher.Yes, I will follow shortly after.
- LauraAlles klar, wir sehen uns dort.All right, we'll see you there.
- LukasBis gleich, Laura!See you soon, Laura!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “after” translations and entries hinterher, darauf, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries darauf, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
