Elon.io is an online learning platform
We have an entire course teaching German grammar and vocabulary.
Questions & Answers about Ich gehe nach draußen.
Why do we say nach draußen instead of zu draußen?
In German, nach is typically used to indicate direction toward something—not only for geographical locations (like nach Berlin) but also when going "outside." Using zu would usually be reserved for destinations like zu einem Haus (to a house) or zu einer Person (to a person). Since draußen means "outside," you use nach draußen to indicate you’re heading to an outer space or outdoors.
Is it ever correct to say Ich gehe draußen if I want to mean "I’m going outside"?
No. Draußen by itself is an adverb meaning "outside," so you need a preposition to show movement. You use nach draußen to show you’re heading outside. Just saying Ich gehe draußen sounds incomplete, as if you’re already outside, rather than moving from inside to outside.
What’s the difference between Ich gehe nach draußen and Ich gehe raus?
Both forms mean "I’m going outside," but nach draußen is slightly more formal or explicit. Raus is a more colloquial short form of heraus or hinaus. In everyday conversation, Ich gehe raus is very common, while Ich gehe nach draußen can sound a bit more precise or formal.
Why do we use gehe here instead of other verbs like laufe (to walk) or fahre (to drive)?
Gehe is the most basic way to express the act of going somewhere on foot. Laufe (to run/walk fast) implies more speed or emphasis on the action of walking, and fahre is used when traveling by vehicle (car, bus, etc.). In this sentence, Ich gehe nach draußen simply states that you are going outside in a normal walking manner.
Does the word order ever change in the sentence Ich gehe nach draußen?
Typically, no. The standard word order in a simple main clause in German is Subject – Verb – Everything else. You could emphasize the destination by starting with it (for example, Nach draußen gehe ich), but that’s more poetic or for special emphasis. The neutral and most common order is Ich gehe nach draußen.