noun
demand, inquiry
B1
Nachfrage (die) means 'demand' (market demand) or 'inquiry'/'request' (a question). Feminine noun; plural 'Nachfragen'. Often used as 'Nachfrage nach...' (demand for...) or 'auf Nachfrage' (on request). 'Nachfragen' (plural) can mean individual follow‑up questions. No irregular plural; used in economics and customer service.
Examples
Bei der Informationstheke gab es viele Nachfragen zu den Öffnungszeiten.
There were a lot of inquiries at the information desk about the opening hours.
Die Nachfrage nach dem neuen Smartphone ist in diesem Quartal gestiegen.
Demand for the new smartphone rose this quarter.
Die Firma erhöhte die Produktion, weil die Nachfrage nach dem neuen Produkt im letzten Quartal stark stieg.
The company increased production because the demand for the new product rose sharply in the last quarter.
Details
Mnemonics
Imagine a shop window with many customers holding signs that say 'Wir wollen das!' — a clear image of demand (Nachfrage).
Think 'knock' + 'for-ask' → 'knock-for' as someone asking — Nachfrage = inquiry/demand
die (feminine) — imagine a lady (die) standing at a counter asking (Nachfrage).
Notes
Nachfrage commonly refers to market demand in economics but can also mean asking for information (inquiry). Be careful: 'Anfrage' is often used for formal enquiries; 'Nachfrage' often implies consumer demand.