Questions & Answers about Nach dem Kurs trinken wir ein Bier.
Why is it dem Kurs and not der Kurs or den Kurs?
The preposition nach always requires the dative case when it means "after". Because Kurs is a masculine word (der Kurs), the dative article changes to dem.
Why is the word order trinken wir instead of wir trinken?
In German main clauses, the conjugated verb must always be in the second position. Since you started the sentence with the time phrase Nach dem Kurs (Position 1), the verb trinken must come next (Position 2), pushing the subject wir into Position 3.
I remember learning that nach means "to", like in "nach Deutschland". Why does it mean "after" here?
nach is a versatile preposition. When you use it for locations (like cities, countries, or home), it means "to". But when you use it for time or sequence, like in Nach dem Kurs, it means "after". In both situations, it always triggers the dative case.
Is ein Bier in the nominative or accusative case here?
It is in the accusative case because it is the direct object (the thing being drunk). Because Bier is a neuter noun (das Bier), its accusative form (ein) looks exactly the same as its nominative form.