German word

hinterher

Pronunciation

IPA/hɪntɐˈheːɐ̯/

Meaning

  • adverblater

Example

Wir gehen hinterher essen.

We'll go eat later.

Illustration for hinterher (later)

More examples

Die Sitzung ist um 18 Uhr zu Ende; ich komme kurz hinterher.

The meeting ends at 6 p.m.; I will come shortly afterwards.

Core concept

One action comes along after another, as a follower behind its leader.

Common phrases

  • gleich hinterher

    immediately afterwards

  • ein paar Minuten hinterher

    a few minutes later

  • kurz hinterher

    shortly afterwards

Similar words

nachher: At a time after a particular point or event.
später: At a time later than now or on a later date.
danach: After a specific event, as a following action or event.

Definition in German

‚nachher‘ bedeutet und zeitlich ein späteres Geschehen oder einen anschließenden Vorgang ausdrückt.

Word origin

The adverb is formed from hinter and her, a spatial combination meaning movement or position behind here that also acquired a temporal meaning.

Usage tips

  • Hinterher usually points back to a specific earlier event, whereas später is also natural for a later time without that immediate sequence.

Other meanings

  • behindadverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word