German Phrase
Was soll ich nach der Kirche suchen?
Meaning
The speaker is asking for guidance about what they should look for or do after leaving the church. It can refer to a physical object, a place, or an activity that follows a church visit.
When to use
Use this sentence when you are at a church (or have just finished a service) and need advice on the next point of interest, such as a cemetery, a café, or a specific monument.
✦Grammar Breakdown
WassollichnachderKirchesuchen?
Was (interrogative pronoun)
Used to ask about an unknown thing or object.
soll (modal verb)
Expresses a suggestion or recommendation; with "ich" it means "should I".
ich (personal pronoun)
First‑person singular subject.
nach (preposition)
Means "after" (temporal) or "to/after" (direction) and governs the dative case.
der Kirche (dative feminine)
The dative form of "die Kirche"; required after the preposition "nach".
suchen (infinitive verb)
Means "to look for" or "to search for"; placed at the end of the clause in German.
🗨In Conversation
Was soll ich nach der Kirche suchen?
What should I look for after the church?
Du kannst den Friedhof besuchen, er liegt gleich hinter der Kirche.
You can visit the cemetery; it’s right behind the church.
✕Common Mistakes
Was soll ich nach dem Kirche suchen?
The preposition "nach" requires the dative case; the correct form is "nach der Kirche".
Was soll ich ich nach der Kirche suchen?
In German the infinitive verb stays at the end; the correct order is "nach der Kirche suchen".
Was soll ich soll nach der Kirche suchen?
Only one modal verb is needed; avoid repeating "soll".
↔Alternatives
Was soll ich nach der Kirche tun?
What should I do after the church?
Welches Ziel habe ich nach dem Kirchgang?
What is my next destination after the church service?
Was finde ich nach dem Besuch der Kirche?
What will I find after visiting the church?
Cultural Tip
In many German‑speaking towns, it is customary to walk to the nearby cemetery after a service, especially on Sundays. Alternatively, people often meet for a coffee at a café close to the church. Remember that "nach" always takes the dative case, so it is "nach der Kirche", not "nach dem Kirche".