der  Nachfolger

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈnaːxˌfɔlgɐ/

🧐 What does "der Nachfolger" mean?

Der Nachfolger refers to a male person who takes over a position, office, title, or function from someone else. It's the person who *follows* (*folgt*) *after* (*nach*) someone. The word can relate to various contexts, such as in a job (der Nachfolger des Geschäftsführers - the successor of the CEO), in politics (der Nachfolger des Präsidenten - the successor of the president), in monarchies (der Thronfolger - the heir to the throne), or even for products (das Nachfolgermodell - the successor model).

🚨 Important: "Der Nachfolger" is the masculine form. The feminine form is die Nachfolgerin.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📚 Grammar in Detail: Der Nachfolger

"Nachfolger" is a masculine noun. It follows the N-declension (weak masculine nouns) in the plural and in the oblique cases (Genitive, Dative, Accusative) in the singular when referring to a person and preceded by an article or pronoun. In practice, the genitive singular is often formed strongly (-s), especially when no article precedes it.

Declension Singular

Note: The strong genitive singular form (-s) is more common today. The weak form (-n) often sounds elevated or dated but is grammatically correct for person nouns following the weak declension. In the dative and accusative singular, the strong form (-Ø) is standard.

Declension Plural

Example Sentences 📝

• Der Vorstand sucht einen geeigneten Nachfolger für den scheidenden CEO.
  (The board is looking for a suitable successor for the departing CEO.)
• Prinz Charles war lange Zeit der Nachfolger von Königin Elisabeth II.
  (Prince Charles was the successor to Queen Elizabeth II for a long time.)
• Die Aufgaben des Nachfolgers sind klar definiert.
  (The successor's tasks are clearly defined. - Genitive Singular, strong)
• Wir haben mit dem Nachfolger gesprochen.
  (We spoke with the successor. - Dative Singular, strong)
• Man erwartet viel von den jungen Nachfolgern im Unternehmen.
  (Much is expected from the young successors in the company. - Dative Plural)

Context: When to use "Nachfolger"?

"Der Nachfolger" is used when someone or something takes over a position or role previously held by someone or something else.

• Professional: When an employee takes over a job that has become vacant. (Er ist mein Nachfolger im Marketing. - He is my successor in marketing.)
• Political/Monarchical: Term for the person who inherits or assumes a high office or throne. (Der Kronprinz ist der designierte Nachfolger. - The crown prince is the designated successor.)
• Products/Technology: Can also refer to a newer model or version that replaces an older one. (Dieses Smartphone ist der Nachfolger des beliebten X1-Modells. - This smartphone is the successor to the popular X1 model.) ⚠️ Here, "das Nachfolgemodell" is often preferred.
• Figurative: Sometimes used metaphorically for something that follows and replaces a previous thing. (Der Expressionismus gilt als Nachfolger des Impressionismus in der Kunst. - Expressionism is considered the successor to Impressionism in art.)

There's little risk of confusion, but the distinction from "der Erbe" (heir/inheritor) is relevant: An Erbe primarily receives property or assets, while a Nachfolger takes over a function or position.

💡 How to remember "der Nachfolger"

Article Mnemonic: A Nachfolger is usually a male person taking over a function. Nouns for people ending in "-er" are very often masculine. Think: Der = the masculine article, for the follower = der Nachfolger.

Meaning Mnemonic: The word is composed of "nach" (after) and "folgen" (to follow). So, a Nach-Folger is someone who literally follows after someone else.

🔄 Similar and Opposite Words

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt der Chef seinen Mitarbeiter: "Sind Sie sicher, dass Sie mein Nachfolger werden wollen?"Mitarbeiter: "Ja, warum denn nicht?"Chef: "Na ja, ich dachte, Sie wollten Karriere machen!"

(Boss asks his employee: "Are you sure you want to be my successor?"Employee: "Yes, why not?"Boss: "Well, I thought you wanted to advance your career!")

📜 A Short Poem

Der Alte geht, die Zeit verrinnt,
Ein Stuhl wird leer, wie's oft beginnt.
Doch bald schon tritt, mit neuem Plan,
Der Nachfolger die Stelle an.
Er folgt der Spur, betritt den Raum,
Erfüllt den alten, neuen Traum.

(The old one leaves, time passes by,
A chair becomes empty, as often starts the try.
But soon arrives, with a new plan,
The successor takes the spot again.
He follows the trace, enters the space,
Fulfills the old, the new dream's place.)

❓ Riddle Time

Ich komme, wenn ein anderer geht,
Ob auf dem Thron, im Amt, spät oder frueh.
Ich fülle eine Lücke, übernehme die Saat,
Die mein Vorgänger hinterlassen hat.

Wer bin ich? (... Der Nachfolger)

(I come when another one leaves,
Whether on the throne, in office, late or with ease.
I fill a gap, take over the seed,
That my predecessor left indeed.

Who am I?
... The successor / Der Nachfolger)

🧩 Other Information

Word Composition:

The word "Nachfolger" is composed of:

• Prefix/Preposition: nach (after, behind)
• Verb: folgen (to follow, succeed)
• Suffix: -er (creates masculine nouns indicating a person performing the verb's action)

Feminine Form: As mentioned, the feminine form is "die Nachfolgerin". The plural is "die Nachfolgerinnen".