der  Nachschub

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈnaːxˌʃuːp/

🚚 What exactly does der Nachschub mean?

Der Nachschub refers to the continuous or renewed supply of necessary goods, materials, or personnel. It's the delivery of things that are needed after the initial stock has been depleted or to supplement existing capacities.

Common contexts include:

• Military: Supplying troops with ammunition, food, equipment, and personnel (reinforcements).
• Business/Logistics: Supplying shops, factories, or warehouses with goods or raw materials (replenishment of goods, material supply).
• Everyday life: Refilling supplies, e.g., drinks at a party or groceries in the fridge.

The word implies a movement or delivery from behind (nach - after) or later, to replenish or support something (Schub in the sense of pushing, providing).

🧐 Grammar of der Nachschub in Detail

Nachschub is a masculine noun. It is almost exclusively used in the singular because it often describes an uncountable quantity or a continuous process. The plural (die Nachschübe) is very rare and only used when referring to specific, individual deliveries or types of supplies.

Declension Singular

Note on the Plural

The plural die Nachschübe is uncommon. People usually talk about 'Nachschublieferungen' (supply deliveries) or 'Versorgungsgüter' (supply goods).

📝 Application Examples

1. Der Nachschub an Lebensmitteln erreichte das Lager gerade rechtzeitig. (The supply of food reached the warehouse just in time.)
2. Ohne ausreichenden Nachschub können die Soldaten nicht weiterkämpfen. (Without sufficient supplies, the soldiers cannot continue fighting.)
3. Wir brauchen dringend Nachschub an Kaffee im Büro! (We urgently need a new supply of coffee in the office!)
4. Der Logistikmanager kümmert sich um den reibungslosen Nachschub. (The logistics manager takes care of the smooth flow of supplies.)

🌐 How to use der Nachschub?

Der Nachschub is mainly used in contexts where continuous supply is essential.

• Military: Here, Nachschub is a central term in logistics. It encompasses everything an army needs in the field: from ammunition and fuel to food and spare parts. Example: "Die Nachschublinien wurden unterbrochen." (The supply lines were cut off.)
• Economic: In the supply chain, Nachschub refers to the replenishment of stock levels in production and trade. Example: "Der automatische Nachschub sorgt dafür, dass die Regale nie leer sind." (Automatic replenishment ensures that the shelves are never empty.)
• Everyday: Even in private life, people sometimes talk about Nachschub, often slightly jokingly, when supplies are running low. Example: "Für die Party brauchen wir noch Getränke-Nachschub." (We still need drink supplies for the party.)

⚠️ Important: Nachschub usually refers to goods or materials. When referring to people (e.g., new soldiers), the term Verstärkung (reinforcements) is often used, although personeller Nachschub (personnel supply) is also possible.

🧠 How to remember der Nachschub

For the article (der): Think of der Laster (the truck) or der Zug (the train) bringing der important supply (Nachschub). Both 'Laster' and 'Zug' are masculine in German.

For the meaning (supply): Imagine someone pushing (SCHUB) things forward AFTER (NACH) the initial amount is gone, to fill a gap or supply a frontline. The Nach-Schub replenishes what's missing.

🔄 Related and Opposite Words

⚠️ Similar Words (Potential Confusion):

• Der Aufschub: A postponement or delay.
• Der Zuschuss: A financial subsidy or grant.

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt der General den Logistikoffizier: "Wie sieht es mit dem Nachschub aus?"
Antwortet der Offizier: "Läuft, Herr General! Der Feind schickt uns jetzt täglich Pfeile mit Brandbriefen – wir haben endlich genug Zunder für die Feldküche!"

Translation: The general asks the logistics officer: "How are the supplies looking?"
The officer replies: "It's going well, General! The enemy is now sending us arrows with incendiary letters every day – we finally have enough tinder for the field kitchen!"

📜 Supplies in Verse

Die Lager leer, die Kehle trocken,
die Truppe müde, sitzt auf Socken.
Man hofft, man bangt, blickt in die Fern',
kommt bald der Nachschub, unser Stern?

Da rollt er an, der LKW,
beladen schwer, oh jemine!
Mit Brot, mit Trank, mit Munition,
gerettet ist die Situation!

Translation:
The stores empty, throats are dry,
The troops are tired, beneath the sky.
They hope, they fear, look far away,
Will the supply soon save the day?

There comes the truck, rolling near,
Heavily loaded, oh dear, oh dear!
With bread, with drink, with ammo's might,
The situation's now set right!

🕵️‍♀️ Who or what am I?

Ich komme oft, wenn etwas fehlt,
bin für Soldaten hoch geschätzt, für Handel ausgewählt.
Ich fülle auf, was leer und knapp,
und halte die Maschine auf Trab.

Mal bin ich Ware, mal Munition,
mal nur ein kühler Drink als Lohn.
Man wartet auf mich, spät oder früh.

Wer bin ich wohl? Ich bin ...? (Lösung/Solution: der Nachschub)

Translation:
I often come when something's lacked,
Valued by soldiers, for trade I'm tracked.
I fill up what is empty, tight,
And keep the engine running right.

Sometimes I'm goods, sometimes I'm rounds,
Sometimes just a cool drink that astounds.
People await me, late or soon.

Who am I then? Beneath the moon...?
(Answer: der Nachschub / supply)

🧩 More Details about Nachschub

Word Origin (Wortherkunft)

The word Nachschub is composed of:

• nach-: Prefix indicating sequence (later, afterward) or direction.
• Schub: Noun derived from the verb 'schieben' (to push). Figuratively, a delivery or quantity that is 'pushed' or provided.

So, it literally describes something that is 'pushed after' to fill a gap.

Related Verbs (Verwandte Verben)

The verb nachschieben means to deliver or add something later. Example: "Die fehlenden Teile werden nachgeschoben." (The missing parts will be delivered later/subsequently.)