Learn Hardcore German: Der Stempel liegt im Schrank; ich frage gleich danach. - The stamp is in the cupboard; I will ask about it in a moment.

In German, der Stempel is a rubber/ink stamp (the device) or the imprint it makes. A postage stamp is die Briefmarke. So this sentence is about a rubber stamp, not a postage stamp.

Why is it liegt and not ist in Der Stempel liegt im Schrank?

German often uses “posture” verbs to describe where things are:

liegen (to lie) for items lying flat
stehen (to stand) for items upright
hängen (to hang) for hanging items
You can use neutral sein (ist) too, but liegt adds a nuance that it’s lying in there. Both are acceptable; liegt sounds a bit more descriptive.

Why is it im Schrank and not in den Schrank?

im = in dem (contraction).
With location (no movement), two-way prepositions like in take the dative: im Schrank (where?).
With movement into something, you’d use accusative: in den Schrank (where to?).

Why is it Der Stempel and not Den Stempel?

Because der Stempel is the subject (nominative singular masculine). If it were a direct object, it would be accusative: den Stempel. In this sentence, the prepositional object is im Schrank (dative after in for location).

What exactly does gleich mean here? Is it “right now,” “soon,” or “immediately”?

Here gleich means “in a moment/very soon.”

sofort = immediately, right this second.
gleich = shortly/any moment now (often slightly less urgent than sofort).
bald = soon (less immediate).

What does danach refer to? Could it also mean “after that”?

Here danach is a pronominal adverb meaning “about/for it,” standing in for nach dem Stempel because fragen nach = “to ask about/for.”
Yes, danach can also mean “after that,” but in this sentence, the verb-preposition pattern fragen nach makes the “about it” reading the natural one.

Can I say Ich frage gleich nach dem Stempel instead of Ich frage gleich danach?

Yes. Both are correct. danach avoids repeating dem Stempel. Using the full phrase (nach dem Stempel) can sound a touch more explicit; danach is more concise.

Can I use danach to refer to people?

Generally no. For people, use personal pronouns with nach:

Ich frage gleich nach ihm / nach ihr.
Using danach for people sounds impersonal or odd.

Why is it fragen nach and not fragen für?

jemanden nach etwas fragen = ask someone about/for something.
für doesn’t work here. fragen für would mean “to ask on behalf of” (e.g., Ich frage für einen Freund).
If you mean “politely request,” use um etwas bitten: Ich bitte (ihn) um den Stempel.

What’s the word order logic in Ich frage gleich danach? Could I say Ich frage danach gleich?

The natural order is: verb (V2), then time adverb (gleich), then the pronominal object (danach) in the middle field: Ich frage gleich danach.
Ich frage danach gleich isn’t wrong, but it’s uncommon and can sound marked. Keep gleich early.

Is the semicolon necessary? Could I use a comma or a period?

You can write:

Semicolon: Der Stempel liegt im Schrank; ich frage gleich danach.
Period: Der Stempel liegt im Schrank. Ich frage gleich danach.
A bare comma between two main clauses is possible in German but often less elegant; many writers prefer a semicolon, dash, or a conjunction (e.g., und, also).

How would I connect the clauses with a conjunction?

Examples:

Der Stempel liegt im Schrank, und ich frage gleich danach.
Der Stempel liegt im Schrank, also frage ich gleich danach. (Note: German also = “so/therefore,” not English “also”.)

Could I use the future tense: Ich werde gleich danach fragen?

Yes, it’s correct. But for near-future plans, German usually prefers the present: Ich frage gleich danach. The future (werde) can add formality or emphasis.

Can I drop gleich? What changes?

Ich frage danach. = I’ll ask about it (no timing implied).
Ich frage gleich mal danach. adds a softening mal (“I’ll just ask in a sec”).

Is Wo liegt der Stempel? correct, or should I say Wo ist der Stempel?

Both are fine.

Wo ist der Stempel? is neutral.
Wo liegt der Stempel? subtly suggests it’s lying somewhere (e.g., in a drawer).

Could I say Der Stempel steht im Schrank instead of liegt?

Possibly. Use:

steht if it’s upright (like a bottle).
liegt if it’s lying flat.
Everyday speech sometimes uses these loosely; ist is always a safe neutral choice.

Any pitfalls with Schrank vs Schranke?

Yes. der Schrank = cupboard/wardrobe. die Schranke = barrier/gate (e.g., at a railroad crossing). Don’t confuse them.

What case idea is hidden in danach?

danach is a pronominal adverb built from da- + nach, replacing nach + dative object. You don’t inflect danach itself; it already encodes the relation required by nach.