辿る

• Reading: たどる
• Romaji: tadoru
• Kanji breakdown: 辿 (ten/tado) — to trace a path, to follow
• Pronunciation: /ta.do.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To trace; to follow a path; to pursue; to go along; to arrive at after a long journey.

A Group 1 (godan) verb expressing the act of carefully tracing a route, following a trail of evidence or thought, or moving through a difficult path step by step. It is often used figuratively for tracing history, following a line of reasoning, or experiencing a series of events (e.g., 運命を辿る, to follow one's fate). The nuance of slowness and care distinguishes it from simply 追う (to pursue).

Examples

1. 研究者は古地図を手がかりに、かつての交易路を辿る旅に出た。 Using old maps as clues, the researcher set off on a journey to trace the routes of former trade roads.
2. 容疑者の足取りを辿った結果、事件当夜のアリバイに矛盾が見つかった。 Tracing the suspect's movements revealed a contradiction in their alibi on the night of the incident.
3. 彼女のキャリアは順風満帆とは言えず、紆余曲折を辿りながら今の地位に至った。 Her career has not been plain sailing; she has arrived at her current position after following a winding, eventful path.

Usage Guide

Context: investigation, history, travel, biographical narrative

Tone: reflective

Origin & History

From classical Japanese. The kanji 辿 (rare in modern use; often written in hiragana) combines 辵 (movement, road) with a phonetic element, conveying the image of moving carefully along a path.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical–Present

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal