preposition
to, after
A1
Nach is a German preposition meaning 'to' (destination) and 'after' (time). It governs the dative case. Use it for destinations without an article (nach Berlin) and for time expressions (nach dem Essen). It does not take the accusative. Common in directions and temporal phrases.
Examples
Wir fahren nach Berlin.
We're going to Berlin.
Nach dem Essen gehen wir spazieren.
After dinner we'll go for a walk.
Der Reisende berichtete, dass er nach Berlin fuhr, obwohl das Wetter schlecht war.
The traveler reported that he traveled to Berlin, although the weather was bad.
Details
Mnemonics
Imagine an arrow pointing 'to' a city named Berlin with the word 'nach' above it.
Sounds like English 'nach' pronounced like 'nahk' — think 'to/after'.
Notes
A two-usage preposition: used for destinations (to) and time (after). When used for directions it is used with place names often without an article; when used temporally it takes the dative.