Em 15 segundos
- Means being inferior or lower in quality than someone else.
- Usually used negatively to mean 'just as good as'.
- Requires the dative case for the person being compared.
Significado
This phrase describes being lower in quality, skill, or value compared to someone or something else. It is most often used with a negative to say that someone is just as good as the best.
Exemplos-chave
3 de 6Complimenting a friend's cooking
Deine Pizza steht der vom Italiener in nichts nach!
Your pizza is in no way inferior to the one from the Italian restaurant!
A professional performance review
In puncto Genauigkeit stehen Sie Ihren Kollegen in nichts nach.
In terms of accuracy, you are in no way inferior to your colleagues.
Texting about a new smartphone
Das neue Modell steht dem Marktführer kaum nach.
The new model is hardly inferior to the market leader.
Contexto cultural
In German business culture, 'nachstehen' is often used in performance reviews (Arbeitszeugnisse). If a boss writes you 'stand your colleagues in nothing after', it's a very high compliment. In Austria, you might hear the auxiliary 'sein' used with 'nachstehen' in the perfect tense more often than in Northern Germany. Swiss German speakers use 'nachstehen' in formal Swiss Standard German, especially when comparing the quality of local products to international ones. In German universities, 'nachstehen' is a favorite for comparing scientific theories or the rigor of different studies.
Use it in Job Applications
Saying 'Ich stehe meinen Mitbewerbern in nichts nach' shows confidence and high-level language skills.
Dative Alert!
Always check if you used 'ihm', 'ihr', or 'den'. Using the accusative is the most common mistake.
Em 15 segundos
- Means being inferior or lower in quality than someone else.
- Usually used negatively to mean 'just as good as'.
- Requires the dative case for the person being compared.
What It Means
Imagine a line where the best people stand at the front. If you nachstehen, you are standing behind them in terms of quality. You are not quite at their level yet. It is a way to rank skills, talents, or even the quality of products. Most of the time, Germans use it to pay a compliment. They say you stehen in nichts nach, which means you are absolutely equal to the best.
How To Use It
This is a separable verb, so the nach often jumps to the end. You need the dative case for the person you are comparing yourself to. For example, Ich stehe ihm nach. However, the most common pattern is jemandem in nichts nachstehen. This sounds very polished and sophisticated. It is like saying, "You are not playing second fiddle to anyone."
When To Use It
Use it when you want to compare two things fairly. It works great in a job interview when discussing your skills. It is also perfect for reviewing a restaurant or a movie. If a local bistro is as good as a five-star place, this is your word. You can use it in sports too. If a young player is as fast as a pro, they stehen ihm in nichts nach.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for literal physical positions. If you are standing behind someone in a supermarket line, use hinter jemandem stehen. It is also not for simple emotions. You would not say you nachstehen someone in sadness. Keep it for qualities, skills, or standards. Using it for physical height is also a no-go; that is just being kleiner.
Cultural Background
German culture places a high value on Leistung or performance. We like to know where things stand in a hierarchy of quality. This word reflects that organized mindset. It is a very precise way to measure excellence without being overly emotional. It has been a staple of formal German for centuries. It suggests a world of masters and apprentices where everyone has a rank.
Common Variations
You will often hear in puncto or in Sachen combined with it. For example, in Sachen Stil (in matters of style). You might also see the noun form Nachrangigkeit, but that is very legalistic. Stick to the verb for daily life. Another variation is jemandem nachstehen wollen, often used when someone is being competitive. It captures that drive to be the very best.
Notas de uso
The phrase is neutral but leans slightly towards formal writing and sophisticated conversation. Always ensure you use the dative case for the reference point.
Use it in Job Applications
Saying 'Ich stehe meinen Mitbewerbern in nichts nach' shows confidence and high-level language skills.
Dative Alert!
Always check if you used 'ihm', 'ihr', or 'den'. Using the accusative is the most common mistake.
The 'In Nichts' trick
If you want to praise something, always use 'in nichts nachstehen'. It's a very safe and elegant way to give a compliment.
Modesty
Germans prefer 'nachstehen' because it sounds more objective than saying 'I am the best'.
Exemplos
6Deine Pizza steht der vom Italiener in nichts nach!
Your pizza is in no way inferior to the one from the Italian restaurant!
A very common way to praise a hobbyist by comparing them to a professional.
In puncto Genauigkeit stehen Sie Ihren Kollegen in nichts nach.
In terms of accuracy, you are in no way inferior to your colleagues.
Uses 'in puncto' to specify the exact area of skill.
Das neue Modell steht dem Marktführer kaum nach.
The new model is hardly inferior to the market leader.
Common in tech reviews to compare brands.
Mein Durst steht dem eines Kamels in nichts nach.
My thirst is in no way inferior to that of a camel.
Using a formal structure for a silly topic creates humor.
Ich wollte meinem Bruder nie in etwas nachstehen.
I never wanted to be inferior to my brother in anything.
Expresses a feeling of competition or pressure.
Diese Kopie steht dem Original kaum nach.
This copy is hardly inferior to the original.
Used to describe high-quality craftsmanship.
Teste-se
Fill in the correct dative pronoun.
Er ist ein toller Koch. Ich stehe ___ (him) in nichts nach.
Nachstehen always takes the dative case. 'Ihm' is the dative of 'er'.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Comparing two smartphones:
This uses the correct separable verb order and the fixed phrase 'in nichts nachstehen'.
Match the German phrase with its English equivalent.
Match the following:
These are the standard translations for the variations of 'nachstehen'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 'Dein neuer Laptop sieht teuer aus.' B: 'Er war günstig, aber er ___.'
This is the most natural way to say a cheap item is high quality.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Recursos visuais
Nachstehen vs. Unterlegen sein
Banco de exercicios
4 exerciciosEr ist ein toller Koch. Ich stehe ___ (him) in nichts nach.
Nachstehen always takes the dative case. 'Ihm' is the dative of 'er'.
Comparing two smartphones:
This uses the correct separable verb order and the fixed phrase 'in nichts nachstehen'.
Combine cada item a esquerda com seu par a direita:
These are the standard translations for the variations of 'nachstehen'.
A: 'Dein neuer Laptop sieht teuer aus.' B: 'Er war günstig, aber er ___.'
This is the most natural way to say a cheap item is high quality.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasNo, it is very common for objects, ideas, and organizations as well.
Yes, but then it usually means you are actually worse. 'Er steht ihm nach' = He is worse than him.
Both are used. 'Hat' is standard in the North, 'ist' is common in the South and Austria.
'Unterlegen sein' is more about losing a fight or competition. 'Nachstehen' is about a comparison of quality.
No, for physical size use 'kleiner sein'. 'Nachstehen' is for skills and quality.
Yes, it is considered 'gehobene Sprache' (elevated language).
You can say 'Sie steht ihm an Mut in nichts nach'. 'An' + Dative specifies the trait.
No, 'nachstehen' does not have a passive form.
'Nachstehend' is an adjective meaning 'following' (e.g., 'the following list'). It's related but used differently.
The opposite is 'überlegen sein' (to be superior).
Frases relacionadas
das Wasser reichen können
synonymTo be able to hold a candle to someone.
unterlegen sein
similarTo be inferior.
ebenbürtig sein
contrastTo be equal/on par.
hintanstehen
similarTo take a back seat.
überlegen sein
contrastTo be superior.
