Japanese word

ついていく

Pronunciation

Romajitsuiteiku

Meaning

  • verbfollow

Example

先生の後ろについていきます。sen sei no ushi ro ni tsu i te i ki ma su

I follow my teacher.

Illustration for ついていく (follow)

More examples

新しい話題になると、私は会話についていけません。atara shi i wa dai ni na ru to watashi wa kai wa ni tsu i te i ke ma se n

When the topic changes, I cannot keep up with the conversation.

Core concept

It describes moving while staying behind or alongside another person or thing.

Common phrases

  • 先生についていくsen sei ni tsu i te i ku

    follow a teacher

  • 友達についていくtomo dachi ni tsu i te i ku

    go with a friend

Similar words

ついてくるtsuitekuru: To come along toward a speaker or reference point while staying behind or beside a person or thing.
追うou: To follow a person or thing closely while trying to catch it or keep track of it.

Definition in Japanese

人や物の後に続いて進む。hito ya mono no ato ni tsuzu i te susu mu

Word origin

ついていく (tsuite iku) combines the te-form of つく (tsuku, "to attach or stay with") with いく (iku, "to go"), giving the sense of going while staying with someone.

Usage tips

  • The contrast between ついていく (tsuite iku) and ついてくる (tsuite kuru) follows the Japanese viewpoint distinction between movement away from and toward the speaker or another reference point.

Other meanings

  • go withverb
  • keep up withverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word