追 — Chase, Pursue, Follow

Meaning

The kanji 追 (おおう, つつい) primarily conveys the meaning of chasing, pursuing, following, or tracing. It implies a dynamic action of moving after something or someone, often with a specific goal or target in mind. This could be physically chasing a person or animal, pursuing a dream or goal, following up on a task, or tracing the origins of something.

Its etymology offers a fascinating insight into its meaning. The left-hand radical is 辵 (しんにょう or しんにゅう), which represents 'walk' or 'road', clearly indicating movement and a path. The right-hand component is an older form of 隻 (meaning 'only one bird' or 'single'). While primarily phonetic, it also visually suggests a solitary entity moving with purpose. Combined, the kanji vividly depicts movement along a path (辵) with focused intent. This often implies the pursuit of a single objective, painting a picture of deliberate, directed movement towards an end, whether that end is catching up to something, achieving a goal, or seeking out information.

This 9-stroke kanji is a Jouyou kanji. It's often classified as a Grade 8 kanji, meaning it's taught in secondary school or for general use beyond elementary grades. Its frequent appearance in everyday Japanese makes it an essential character to master for N2 learners.

Readings

On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings

The On'yomi reading of 追 is ツイツい. This reading is typically used when 追 is part of a compound word, often with other kanji. It carries a formal or slightly technical nuance, frequently related to pursuit, addition, or investigation.

• 追つい加か (tsuika) — addition, supplement. This refers to adding something to what already exists. For example, 追つい加か情じょう報ほう (tsuika jouhou) means "additional information."
• 追つい跡せき (tsuiseki) — pursuit, tracking. This is used for actively following and monitoring something or someone. Think of tracking a suspect or tracing the path of a typhoon.
• 追つい及きゅう (tsuikyuu) — pursuit, investigation, questioning. This often implies a thorough investigation or demanding an explanation, as in 責せき任にんをお追つい及きゅう (sekinin o tsuikyuu), meaning "to demand accountability."

Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings

The Kun'yomi readings are more commonly associated with native Japanese verbs and words. They are used when 追 stands alone or is combined with hiragana endings.

• 追おう (o・u) — This is the most common verb form, meaning "to chase, to pursue, to follow, to drive away." It's highly versatile and can be used both literally and figuratively. For instance, 夢ゆめをお追う (yume o ou) means "to pursue a dream."
• 追おって (o・tte) — This is an adverbial form, often meaning "later," "afterward," or "in due course," indicating that something will follow or be done subsequently. For example, 詳くわしくはお追ってご連れん絡らく (kuwashiku wa otte go-renraku) means "We will contact you with details later."
• 追おい (o・i) — This can be a noun meaning "chase" or "pursuit," or it can appear as part of compound verbs. For example, 追おい風かぜ (oikaze) means "tailwind," a wind that pushes you from behind.
• 追おいつく (o・itsuku) — A compound verb meaning "to catch up with, to overtake." This implies reaching the same point or level as someone or something that was ahead. For example, 彼かれにお追いつく (kare ni oitsuku) means "to catch up with him."

Common Words & Compounds

Here are some practical words and compounds using the kanji 追. You'll encounter these in various contexts, from daily conversations to news articles.

Actions & Movement

• 追つい跡せき (tsuiseki) — pursuit, tracking. Often used when tracking suspects or following data.
• 追おい越こし (oikoshi) — overtaking, passing. Commonly heard when driving, like 追おい越こし禁きん止し (oikoshi kinshi) meaning "no passing."
• 追つい放ほう (tsuihou) — expulsion, banishment. Used in more serious contexts, like expelling someone from an organization.
• 追おい払はらう (oiharau) — to drive away, to repel. For example, 虫むしをおい払はらう (mushi o oiharau), to drive away insects.

Investigation & Follow-up

• 追つい及きゅう (tsuikyuu) — pursuit, investigation, questioning. For demanding answers or thoroughly researching a topic.
• 追つい憶おく (tsuioku) — reminiscence, recollection. Reflecting on past memories.
• 追つい記き (tsuiki) — postscript, addendum. An extra note added after the main text.
• 追つい伸しん (tsuishin) — postscript. Often seen as P.S. in letters.

Addition & Supplement

• 追つい加か (tsuika) — addition, supplement. Used when adding new elements or information.
• 追つい試し験けん (tsuishiken) — make-up exam. An exam taken by students who missed the original.
• 追つい録ろく (tsuiroku) — additional recording, re-recording.

Social & Emotional

• 追つい悼とう (tsuitou) — mourning, lament (for the deceased). Showing respect and sadness for someone who has passed away.
• 追つい随ずい (tsuizui) — following suit, imitation. Often used in a slightly negative sense, implying blindly following without original thought.

Example Sentences

Memory Tip

To remember 追, consider its components! The left part is 辵 (しんにょう), the "road" or "walk" radical, which clearly indicates movement along a path. The right part, though technically phonetic, looks a bit like a person with a short tail, or perhaps a simplified animal. Imagine this little creature, or even a determined person, walking purposefully along a road, utterly focused on chasing or pursuing something specific. Picture them meticulously following tracks on the road. The 'road' radical shows the movement, and the right component evokes the focused, single-minded effort of the chase. You are moving down a road, relentlessly pursuing your goal!