How to say "chase" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 追うおうgodan verb, transitive verbThe most general verb for chasing: to run after or pursue someone or something, and also to follow after. It covers both a literal chase and figurative pursuit, such as chasing a dream.
- 追いかけるおいかけるichidan verb, transitive verbA verb for chasing or running after someone or something, with the feel of going after it as it moves away, often to catch up: think of a bus, a child, or a pet.
- 追跡ついせきsuru verb, transitive verb, no-adjectiveA noun for a chase or pursuit; it also covers tracking and stalking. Think of a police pursuit or tracking a vehicle or animal — the word to use when 'chase' is a noun.
- 追求ついきゅうnoun, suru verb, transitive verbA noun for the pursuit or search for abstract things, such as a goal or an ideal. It is seldom the word you want for physically chasing someone or something.
- 追い込むおいこむgodan verb, transitive verbTo herd or drive animals, chasing them into a pen or enclosure — the 'chase' here is corralling, not the ordinary sense of running after someone.
For running after someone or something, choose between the verbs 「追う」 and 「追いかける」; use the noun 追跡 for a chase or tracking, the noun 追求 for pursuing goals or ideals, and 「追い込む」 for herding or driving animals.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
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