nach|ziehen
Translation
to follow, to move to join someone, to tighten, to follow suit
Examples
Seine Familie ist ihm nachgezogen.
His family followed him (by moving).
Du musst die Schrauben nachziehen.
You have to tighten the screws.
Die anderen Firmen zogen bald nach.
The other companies soon followed suit.
Grammar Patterns
to follow ((sb.)) to follow ((sb.)) (by moving) (sein) His family followed him to Berlin.
to tighten ((sth.)) to tighten ((sth.)) (haben) You have to tighten the screws on the wheel.
to follow suit to follow suit (haben) One country lowered taxes and the others followed suit.
Similar Words
Etymology
From 'nach' (after) + 'ziehen' (to pull, to move). Literally 'to pull after' or 'to move after'.
Memory Tips
Picture 'ziehen' (pulling) your belongings 'nach' (after) someone to a new city. Or 'ziehen' (pulling) a wrench 'nach' (again) to tighten a bolt.