In 15 Seconds
- Used for deep-dive research or investigating a specific mystery.
- Combines the noun 'Nachforschungen' with the flexible verb 'anstellen'.
- Perfect for professional settings or serious personal inquiries.
Meaning
This phrase means you are playing detective. It is used when you are digging for information, investigating a problem, or doing some serious research into a specific topic.
Key Examples
3 of 6In a business meeting
Ich werde bezüglich dieses Vorfalls weitere Nachforschungen anstellen.
I will conduct further inquiries regarding this incident.
Talking to a friend about a mystery
Ich habe Nachforschungen über unseren neuen Nachbarn angestellt.
I've been doing some digging into our new neighbor.
Dealing with a lost package
Die Post muss Nachforschungen anstellen, wo das Paket geblieben ist.
The post office must investigate where the package went.
Cultural Background
The phrase is deeply linked to the 'Krimi' culture. Germans love detective stories (like Tatort), where the 'Ermittler' (investigator) spends a lot of time 'Nachforschungen anstellen'. In Swiss German administrative contexts, this phrase is used with the same frequency, but you might hear 'Abklärungen treffen' as a very common synonym. Austrians might use 'Erhebungen pflegen' in very old-fashioned legal contexts, but 'Nachforschungen anstellen' remains the standard for B2/C1 learners. In German companies, 'Nachforschungen anstellen' is a way to signal that you are taking a problem seriously. It is a 'shield' phrase—it protects you by showing you are active.
The 'Anstellen' Rule
Remember that 'anstellen' is a separable verb. In a main sentence, 'an' goes to the very end: 'Ich stelle Nachforschungen AN'.
Don't use 'machen'!
Using 'machen' with 'Nachforschungen' is the #1 sign of a beginner. Always use 'anstellen'.
In 15 Seconds
- Used for deep-dive research or investigating a specific mystery.
- Combines the noun 'Nachforschungen' with the flexible verb 'anstellen'.
- Perfect for professional settings or serious personal inquiries.
What It Means
Think of Nachforschungen anstellen as the professional way to say you are looking into something. It is not just a quick Google search. It implies a deeper dive. You are gathering facts or solving a mystery. It sounds more active than just 'searching.' You are 'setting up' the search like a project.
How To Use It
You use the verb anstellen at the end of the sentence in most cases. For example: 'Ich muss erst einige Nachforschungen anstellen.' It works perfectly when you need to sound thorough. It is a 'Funktionsverbgefüge.' That is just a fancy word for a noun-verb combo. It makes you sound like a pro. Use it when you want to show you are taking a task seriously.
When To Use It
Use it in the office when a client asks a tough question. Use it with friends if you are trying to find out why your favorite cafe suddenly closed. It is great for academic contexts too. If you are writing a paper, you are definitely Nachforschungen anstellen. It fits perfectly when there is a bit of a mystery involved. Even tracking down a lost package qualifies.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it for tiny things. If you are looking for your keys in your pocket, this is too dramatic. You would just say suchen. Do not use it if you are just browsing Netflix. That is not an investigation. It sounds a bit stiff for very casual flirting or small talk. Using it there might make you sound like a police officer.
Cultural Background
Germans love precision and thoroughness. This phrase reflects that cultural trait perfectly. It suggests a systematic approach to finding the truth. Historically, it carries a bit of a bureaucratic or legal weight. It makes the speaker sound reliable and diligent. It is the linguistic equivalent of wearing a lab coat or a detective's hat.
Common Variations
You might hear Untersuchungen anstellen for scientific contexts. If you are just asking around, you might say Erkundigungen einholen. But Nachforschungen remains the king of 'digging deeper.' You can also say someone is 'eifrig' (eager) while doing it. This adds a nice layer of personality to your sentence.
Usage Notes
This is a classic 'Nomen-Verb-Verbindung'. It sits in the sweet spot between neutral and formal, making it safe for both the office and serious personal conversations.
The 'Anstellen' Rule
Remember that 'anstellen' is a separable verb. In a main sentence, 'an' goes to the very end: 'Ich stelle Nachforschungen AN'.
Don't use 'machen'!
Using 'machen' with 'Nachforschungen' is the #1 sign of a beginner. Always use 'anstellen'.
Sounding Professional
Use this phrase in emails when you don't have an answer yet. It sounds much better than 'Ich weiß es nicht'.
Examples
6Ich werde bezüglich dieses Vorfalls weitere Nachforschungen anstellen.
I will conduct further inquiries regarding this incident.
Shows professionalism and a commitment to solving the issue.
Ich habe Nachforschungen über unseren neuen Nachbarn angestellt.
I've been doing some digging into our new neighbor.
A bit gossipy but sounds like you're a detective.
Die Post muss Nachforschungen anstellen, wo das Paket geblieben ist.
The post office must investigate where the package went.
Standard phrase for official searches.
Hab mal Nachforschungen angestellt: Die Bar hat wegen Renovierung zu!
Did some digging: The bar is closed for renovations!
Shortened for a text, still sounds proactive.
Sherlock, hast du wieder Nachforschungen im Kühlschrank angestellt?
Sherlock, have you been investigating the fridge again?
Using the phrase ironically for something trivial.
Mein Opa hat Nachforschungen über unsere Vorfahren angestellt.
My grandpa did research into our ancestors.
Used for genealogical research.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing verb in the correct form (Präteritum).
Die Polizei ______ sofort Nachforschungen über den Unfall an.
The verb 'anstellen' is separable. In Präteritum, it becomes 'stellte ... an'.
Which sentence is the most natural for a formal business report?
How do you say you are looking into a missing payment?
This uses the correct collocation and the formal preposition 'bezüglich'.
Match the context with the most appropriate phrase.
Contexts: 1. Police, 2. Academic, 3. Informal detective work
'Ermittlungen' is for police, 'Recherchen' for academics/media, and 'Nachforschungen' is versatile but fits 'detective work' well.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 'Wissen wir schon, wer den Fehler gemacht hat?' B: 'Nein, aber mein Team ______ gerade ______ ______.'
The present tense of 'anstellen' is 'stellt ... an'.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesDie Polizei ______ sofort Nachforschungen über den Unfall an.
The verb 'anstellen' is separable. In Präteritum, it becomes 'stellte ... an'.
How do you say you are looking into a missing payment?
This uses the correct collocation and the formal preposition 'bezüglich'.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
'Ermittlungen' is for police, 'Recherchen' for academics/media, and 'Nachforschungen' is versatile but fits 'detective work' well.
A: 'Wissen wir schon, wer den Fehler gemacht hat?' B: 'Nein, aber mein Team ______ gerade ______ ______.'
The present tense of 'anstellen' is 'stellt ... an'.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, it's used for any systematic search for info, including work, family history, or personal curiosity.
No, that's not a common collocation. Use 'anstellen' or 'betreiben'.
'Recherchieren' is a verb often used for gathering facts for a story or paper. 'Nachforschungen anstellen' sounds more like solving a mystery or a problem.
95% of the time, yes. 'Eine Nachforschung anstellen' is rare and sounds a bit odd.
Only if you're being funny/sarcastic. It's too formal for everyday objects.
Usually 'über' (+ Acc) or 'bezüglich' (+ Gen).
Yes. 'Er stellt Nachforschungen an.'
It's neutral-to-formal. Perfect for the office or news, but okay for serious personal talk.
There isn't a direct opposite, but 'etwas ignorieren' or 'oberflächlich prüfen' (to check superficially) are contrasts.
Yes: 'Es wurden Nachforschungen angestellt.' (Investigations were conducted.)
Related Phrases
Ermittlungen einleiten
specialized formTo launch a criminal investigation
Recherchen betreiben
similarTo conduct research
Einer Sache auf den Grund gehen
idiomTo get to the bottom of something
Etwas unter die Lupe nehmen
idiomTo examine something closely
