Breakdown of Sie erkundigte sich nach seiner Gesundheit.
sein
his
die Gesundheit
the health
sich erkundigen nach
to enquire about
Questions & Answers about Sie erkundigte sich nach seiner Gesundheit.
Why is the preposition nach used here instead of über for 'about'?
In German, the reflexive verb sich erkundigen (to inquire) always pairs with the preposition nach followed by the dative case. It is a fixed combination you just have to memorize, similar to fragen nach. You cannot translate the English 'about' directly as über in this context.
Why is it seiner Gesundheit and not seine?
The preposition nach always forces the following noun into the dative case. Since Gesundheit is a feminine noun (die Gesundheit), the possessive article sein (his) must take the feminine dative ending -er, resulting in seiner Gesundheit.
How does sich erkundigen nach differ from fragen nach?
Both mean to ask or inquire about something. However, sich erkundigen is slightly more formal and polite. You typically use it when gathering specific information at an office or, as in this sentence, respectfully checking on someone's well-being.
Can I drop the sich and just say 'Sie erkundigte nach...'?
No, sich erkundigen is a strictly reflexive verb in German. The reflexive pronoun sich is a required grammatical part of the verb and cannot be dropped, even though we do not say 'she inquired herself' in English.
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