追う・逐う|おうou[0]heiban (flat)
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Which spelling to use
追う追う is the more common kanji-kana form and the one beginners should use when writing this verb.
逐う逐う is a rarely used kanji-kana variant; learners will seldom see it and should choose 追う instead when writing this verb.
Definitions
- godan verb, transitive verbto chase; to run after; to pursue; to follow after
- godan verb, transitive verbto follow (a set order, a trend, etc.)
- godan verb, transitive verbto drive out; to get rid of; to oust; to expel
- godan verb, transitive verbto drive (e.g. a herd)
- godan verb, transitive verbto be pressed (e.g. for time)in passive voice
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 追う（おう） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 追います（おいます） |
| Negative (nai) | 追わない（おわない） |
| polite (masen) | 追いません（おいません） |
| classical zu / nu | 追わず・追わぬ（おわず・おわぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 追った（おった） |
| polite (mashita) | 追いました（おいました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 追わなかった（おわなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 追いませんでした（おいませんでした） |
| Te form | 追って（おって） |
| Potential | 追える（おえる） |
| Passive | 追われる（おわれる） |
| Causative | 追わせる（おわせる） |
| Causative passive | 追わせられる・追わされる（おわせられる・おわされる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 追えば（おえば） |
| tara | 追ったら（おったら） |
| Volitional | 追おう（おおう） |
| polite (mashou) | 追いましょう（おいましょう） |
| Imperative | 追え（おえ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym追いかけるおいかけるNeutralChases a target from behind, and also covers pursuing ideals or following trends; 「追う」 is more concise and also means driving out and following in order.
- Synonym追っかけるおっかけるCasualColloquial contraction of 「追いかける」, for chasing people or chasing celebrities; writing usually uses 「追う」.
- Synonym追跡ついせきNeutralTracking a fleeing person, suspect or vehicle from behind, or following up on progress, as in 「荷物を追跡する」 and 「追跡調査」; 「追う」 is an everyday verb with wider uses.
- Synonym追尾ついびNeutralTailing a target to keep track of it, as in 「自動追尾」; also seen in 「追尾事故」 for a rear-end crash, though 「追突事故」 is the usual term. Narrower than 「追う」.
- Synonym後追いあとおいNeutralChasing after someone from behind, imitating others' ways, or a toddler's clinginess; 「追う」 has no clinginess sense.
- Synonym追求ついきゅうNeutralTenaciously seeking abstract things like goals or profit, as in 「利益を追求する」; common in speech and writing but not for chasing people, which 「追う」 can do.
- Synonym追行ついこうWrittenRare written word for following behind or carrying out in succession; in everyday speech say 「追う」 or 「後に続く」.
- Synonym追蹤ついしょうWrittenWritten word read 「ついしょう」, meaning pursuit or chasing, close to 「追跡」 but a separate word used very rarely; in daily speech say 「追う」.
- Related尾行びこうNeutralShadowing someone covertly, mostly detectives and police; 「追う」 does not stress secrecy.
- RelatedついていくNeutralGoing along with someone or keeping up with a pace, with no sense of pursuit; 「追う」 focuses on chasing or driving out.
- Related追い求めるおいもとめるNeutralPersistently pursuing ideals or goals, as in 「夢を追い求める」; 「追う」 can also be used for chasing dreams but is more general.
- Related駆り立てるかりたてるWrittenWritten word for driving out game or driving someone to act, as in 「不安に駆り立てられる」; 「追う」 centers on chasing.
- Related駆るかるNeutralSpurs horses or drives cars at speed, or is driven by emotion as in 「衝動に駆られる」; common in speech and writing. 「追う」 means chasing from behind, not driving someone on.
- RelatedフォローNeutralLoanword for social-media follows and follow-ups, also camera tracking or shadowing; overlaps with 「追う」 there but has no sense of driving out.
- Related駆り出すかりだすNeutralPressing people into work or mobilizing them, as in 「選挙に駆り出される」; 「追う」 has no sense of conscripting.
- Related跡づけるあとづけるWrittenWritten word for tracing back along clues, as in 「歴史を跡づける」; 「追う」 can also cover tracing a course of events but is more everyday.
- Antonym追わないNeutralNegative form of 「追う」, not an independent antonym; not chasing or not trying to keep someone, as in 「去る者は追わず」.
Use 「追う」 by default for chasing, following, or following in order. For chasing people colloquially, 「追いかける」 (casual 「追っかける」). For pursuit or investigation, 「追跡」; for covert shadowing, 「尾行」. For pursuing ideals, 「追い求める」 or 「追求」. Other words cover narrower senses: 「追尾」 tracking, 「ついて行く」 going along, 「フォロー」 social media, 「駆る」「駆り立てる」「駆り出す」 driving or pressing, 「跡づける」 tracing, 「後追い」 imitation, 「追行」「追蹤」 rare written words.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also
