Japanese word

たどる

Pronunciation

Romajitadoru

Meaning

  • verbfollow

Example

地図を見ながら山道をたどります。chi zu o mi na ga ra san dō o ta do ri ma su

I follow the mountain path while looking at a map.

Illustration for たどる (follow)

More examples

先人の歩みをたどると、新しい発見があります。sen jin no ayu mi o ta do ru to atara shi i hak ken ga a ri ma su

When we trace the steps of those who came before us, we make new discoveries.

Core concept

Describes moving along a route or tracing a line of events step by step.

Common phrases

  • 線をたどるsen o ta do ru

    follow a line

  • 足取りをたどるashi do ri o ta do ru

    trace someone's movements

  • 道筋をたどるmichi suji o ta do ru

    follow a route

  • 過去をたどるka ko o ta do ru

    trace the past

  • 経緯をたどるkei i o ta do ru

    trace the course of events

Similar words

追うou: To follow a moving person, thing, or course closely.
遡るsakanoboru: To go back along a route or trace events toward their origin.
沿うsou: To follow the direction or shape of a line, path, or plan.
従うshitagau: To act in accordance with a person, rule, or stated course.

Definition in Japanese

道や物事の筋道を順に追って進む。michi ya mono goto no suji michi o jun ni o tte susu mu

Word origin

たどる (tadoru) is a native Japanese verb, and its exact older formation is uncertain; its established sense is "to follow a route step by step."

Usage tips

  • たどる (tadoru) applies to both physical routes and abstract paths such as a person's history, so English may use either follow or trace depending on the context.

Other meanings

  • traceverb

Related words

  • たどり方tadorikataway of tracingnoun

Word lists with this word