SpeeekDownload on the App Store
Back to Go Shopping

German Phrase

Ich schaue später online nach.

/ɪç ˈʃaʊ̯ə ˈʃpɛːtɐ ˈɔnlaɪ̯n naːx/
Meaning"I’ll look it up online later."
💡

Meaning

Literally, “I will look it up online later.” It conveys the intention to search for information on the internet at a later time. The phrase is informal and commonly used in everyday conversation.

🎯

When to use

Use this sentence when you want to tell someone that you’ll find the answer or the needed information on the web after the current moment – for example after a meeting, during a break, or when you’re currently busy with something else.

✦Grammar Breakdown

Ichschauespäteronlinenach

1

Separable verb (nachschauen)

‘nachschauen’ is a separable verb; in the present tense the prefix ‘nach’ moves to the end of the clause: ich schaue … nach.

2

Verb placement

In main clauses the finite verb (schaue) occupies the second position, while the separable prefix follows the object or adverbial.

3

Adverb order

Temporal adverbs (später) usually come before manner adverbs (online) when both are present.

🗨In Conversation

A

Könntest du mir das Rezept schicken?

Could you send me the recipe?

Klar, ich schaue später online nach.

Sure, I’ll look it up online later.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Ich nach schaue später online.

    The prefix ‘nach’ must be placed at the end of the clause, not before the verb.

  • Ich schaue später nach online.

    ‘Nach’ belongs to the separable verb and should stay at the very end of the sentence.

  • Später online nach schaue ich.

    In a main clause the finite verb must stay in second position; moving it to the end breaks the V2 rule.

↔Alternatives

  • Ich recherchiere später im Internet.

    I’ll research it later on the Internet.

  • Ich sehe später online nach.

    I’ll check online later.

  • Ich finde das später online.

    I’ll find that online later.

de

Cultural Tip

‘Online’ is widely accepted in German, especially among younger speakers, but ‘im Internet’ or ‘im Netz’ can sound a bit more formal. The separable verb ‘nachschauen’ is informal; in a business email you might prefer ‘nachsehen’ or ‘nachforschen’. Also, Germans appreciate punctuality, so if you promise to look something up later, try to follow through promptly.