die  Nachfolge

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈnaːxˌfɔlgə/

👑 What does 'die Nachfolge' mean?

Die Nachfolge (feminine noun) generally refers to the act of succeeding someone in a position, office, or ownership after the previous person or generation has left. It's about the sequence or succession of people or events.

• In work/politics: Who takes over the position? (e.g., die Nachfolge im Amt - succession in office, die Unternehmensnachfolge - business succession)
• Historically/Monarchy: Who inherits the throne? (e.g., die Thronnachfolge - succession to the throne)
• Generally: What comes next? (e.g., die Nachfolge von Ereignissen - the sequence of events)

It's an abstract concept describing the transition. ⚠️ Be careful: Don't confuse it with "der Nachfolger" (the male successor) or "die Nachfolgerin" (the female successor) – those refer to the person.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar Spotlight: die Nachfolge

The word "Nachfolge" is a feminine noun. It is almost exclusively used in the singular because it describes an abstract concept. The plural "die Nachfolgen" is very rare and refers to multiple specific instances of succession arrangements.

Declension (Singular)

Declension (Plural - rare)

Example Sentences

1. Die Regelung der Nachfolge im Familienunternehmen war kompliziert.
   (Arranging the succession in the family business was complicated.)
2. Wer tritt die Nachfolge des Ministers an?
   (Who will succeed the minister?)
3. In rascher Nachfolge ereigneten sich mehrere Pannen.
   (Several mishaps occurred in quick succession.)
4. Die Frage der Nachfolge war noch ungeklärt.
   (The question of succession was still unresolved.)

💬 How to use 'Nachfolge'?

"Die Nachfolge" is often used in formal or official contexts, especially concerning important positions or transitions:

• Unternehmensnachfolge: (Business succession) Planning the transition of leadership or ownership of a company. ("Die Nachfolge ist gesichert." - The succession is secured.)
• Amtsnachfolge: (Succession in office) Taking over a political or public office. ("Er trat die Nachfolge des Bürgermeisters an." - He succeeded the mayor.)
• Thronfolge/Erbfolge: (Succession to the throne/inheritance) The established order of who succeeds to a throne or inheritance. ("Die Nachfolge auf dem britischen Thron ist klar geregelt." - The succession to the British throne is clearly regulated.)
• Zeitliche Abfolge: (Temporal sequence) Can also describe a rapid series of events, but "Abfolge" is more common here. ("In schneller Nachfolge trafen die Briefe ein." - The letters arrived in quick succession.)

Common phrases include die Nachfolge antreten (to take up the succession), die Nachfolge regeln (to arrange/regulate the succession), or die Nachfolge sichern (to secure the succession).

🧠 Mnemonics for Nachfolge

Article Mnemonic: Think of the English word follow. Often, women are said to *follow* societal expectations (a bit stereotypical, but helps memory!). Succession, Nachfolge, is also feminine: die Nachfolge.

Meaning Mnemonic: Nach sounds like 'knock'. Imagine someone 'knocking' on the door to take over after the previous person leaves – that's the Nachfolge, the succession.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

Potential for Confusion:

• Der Nachfolger / Die Nachfolgerin: (The successor - male/female) Refers to the person, not the process itself.
• Die Folge: Can mean episode (series), consequence, or sequence. "Nachfolge" is specifically about taking over a position.

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt der Chef seinen potenziellen Nachfolger: "Sind Sie entscheidungsfreudig?"
Antwortet der Kandidat: "Jein."

(The boss asks his potential successor: "Are you decisive?"
The candidate answers: "Yes and no." / "Maybe.")

(Okay, it's a bit lame, but maybe decisiveness is sometimes needed for the Nachfolge!) 😉

📜 Poem about Nachfolge

Der Alte geht, die Zeit verrinnt,
Ein neuer Stuhl, wer ihn gewinnt?
Die Nachfolge, ein ernstes Spiel,
Wer trägt die Last, wer kennt das Ziel?

Ob Amt, ob Thron, ob Firmensitz,
Die Frage brennt, ein heißer Witz?
Nein, ernst ist's, wer tritt nun an,
Führt fort den wohlbedachten Plan?

(The old one leaves, time passes by,
A new chair waits, beneath the sky.
The Nachfolge, a serious game,
Who bears the burden, knows the aim?

Be it office, throne, or company seat,
The question burns, a fiery treat?
No, serious it is, who steps up now,
Continues the well-considered vow?)

❓ Riddle

Ich bin kein Mensch, doch trete an,
Wenn jemand geht, ob Frau, ob Mann.
Im Amt, im Reich, im Geschäftsbereich,
Regelt man mich, mal schwer, mal leicht.

Wer bin ich?

(I am no person, yet I step forth,
When someone leaves, south, east, or north.
In office, realm, or business sphere,
They manage me, sometimes with fear.

What am I?)

Answer: Die Nachfolge (Succession)

💡 Other Information

Word Composition:

The word "Nachfolge" is composed of:

• Nach-: A prefix indicating a temporal or spatial sequence (like in 'nachher' - afterwards, 'Nachbar' - neighbor).
• Folge: A noun meaning sequence, series, or consequence.

Together, they form the meaning "that which follows after something else", specifically in the sense of taking over a position.