Japanese word

追いかける

Pronunciation

Romajioikakeru

Meaning

  • verbchase

Example

子どもが犬を追いかけます。ko do mo ga inu o o i ka ke ma su

The child chases the dog.

Illustration for 追いかける (chase)

More examples

彼は子どものころから夢を追いかけています。kare wa ko do mo no ko ro ka ra yume o o i ka ke te i ma su

He has been pursuing his dream since he was a child.

Core concept

It describes staying behind a moving target to catch up with it, and it also applies to goals that someone keeps seeking.

Common phrases

  • 夢を追いかけるyume o o i ka ke ru

    pursue a dream

  • 犯人を追いかけるhan nin o o i ka ke ru

    chase a criminal

  • 後を追いかけるato o o i ka ke ru

    chase after

Similar words

追うou: To go after a person or animal in order to catch them.
追跡するtsuisekisuru: To trace the movements of a target in order to find or catch it.
追い求めるoimotomeru: To seek a desired goal or result over a long period.

Definition in Japanese

人や物の後を追って行き、追いつこうとする。また、目標や夢などを実現しようとして求め続ける。hito ya mono no ato o o tte i ki o i tsu kō to su ru ma ta moku hyō ya yume na do o jitsu gen shi yō to shi te moto me tsuzu ke ru

Word origin

The Japanese verb 追いかける (oikakeru) is built from the continuative form 追い (oi) of 追う (ō, "to chase") and 掛ける (kakeru), a verb used in compounds to express starting or directing an action.

Usage tips

  • Japanese uses the verb in tag and other children's games, where it names running after another player rather than the moment of catching them.

Other meanings

  • pursueverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word