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nachfolgen

to follow behind, to come after

verb NAKH-fol-gen Rare
Travel & Places Movement

Also means

to succeed (in a role)

Usage Note

nachfolgen in movement contexts means to follow in the footsteps of or directly behind someone: dem Führer nachfolgen (to follow the guide). It is slightly more formal than hinterherfahren or folgen, and its succession sense (jmdm. im Amt nachfolgen) is equally common.

Examples

"Die Prozession folgte dem Priester nach durch die Straßen der Altstadt."

Natural Translation

The procession followed the priest through the streets of the old town.

Literal Translation

The procession followed the priest after through the streets of the old town.

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