French word

traquer

Pronunciation

IPA/tʁake/

Meaning

  • verbpursue

Example

La police traque le suspect depuis hier.

The police have been pursuing the suspect since yesterday.

Illustration for traquer (pursue)

More examples

Les ingénieurs ont traqué le bug qui provoquait des erreurs.

The engineers tracked down the bug that was causing errors.

Core concept

A hunter or investigator keeps pressing after a target until its escape routes narrow.

Common phrases

  • traquer le coupable

    track down the culprit

  • traquer quelqu'un sur internet

    track someone online

Similar words

poursuivre: To chase someone or something in pursuit of a goal.
suivre: To go along behind someone or something.
épier: To secretly watch someone's actions to obtain information.

Definition in French

Chercher et suivre activement une personne, un animal ou un objet afin de le retrouver, le coincer ou le surveiller.

Word origin

The verb developed from "traque", a French word for pursuit in hunting, with the regular verb ending "-er".

Usage tips

  • Traquer is stronger than "suivre" and often suggests persistent pursuit, surveillance, or an attempt to corner the target.

Other meanings

  • hunt downverb

Opposites

Related words

  • traquepursuitnoun
  • traquéhunted downadjective

Word lists with this word