奔走する

• Reading: ほんそうする
• Romaji: honsousuru
• Kanji breakdown: 奔 (hon) — run, rush; 走 (sou) — run, hurry
• Pronunciation: /hon.so.ː.sɯ.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To run about; to bustle around; to exert oneself energetically for a cause.

A Group 3 (suru) compound verb used in written and formal contexts. Describes the act of moving rapidly from person to person or place to place in order to achieve a goal, often on behalf of others. Common collocations: 解決のために奔走する (to rush about to resolve an issue), 支援を求めて奔走する (to hustle for support). The image is of someone too busy to stand still.

Examples

1. 被災地の支援のため、議員たちは連日奔走した。 To support the disaster-stricken areas, the parliamentarians rushed about day after day.
2. 彼は人質解放のための交渉に奔走し、ついに合意を取り付けた。 He hustled tirelessly in negotiations for the release of the hostages, and finally secured an agreement.
3. 資金調達に奔走していたスタートアップがついに上場を果たした。 The start-up that had been rushing around raising funds finally achieved a stock market listing.

Usage Guide

Context: politics, business, journalism, charity

Tone: earnest

Origin & History

Sino-Japanese compound from 奔 (hon, run/rush) and 走 (sou, run). Both characters relate to running, together emphasising frantic, purposeful movement. Used in classical Chinese to describe officials urgently travelling on state business.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Educated