der Nachfolger
Translation
successor, heir, follower
Examples
Er ist der Nachfolger des alten Direktors.
He is the successor of the old director.
Wer wird der Nachfolger des Königs sein?
Who will be the king's successor?
Grammar Patterns
Nachfolger ((of sb.)) successor of sb. She is the successor of the company's founder.
Nachfolger ((to sb.)) successor to sb. Who is the successor to the throne?
Similar Words
Synonyms: Erbe (heir), Amtsnachfolger (successor in office); Antonyms: Vorgänger (predecessor)
Etymology
Composed of 'nach' (after) and 'folgen' (to follow). It literally means 'after-follower'.
Memory Tips
Think of a relay race where one runner 'follows after' the previous one. That's a Nachfolger.