追う

• Reading: おう
• Romaji: ou
• Kanji breakdown: 追 (tsui/o) — to chase, to pursue
• Pronunciation: /o.ɯ/

Meaning

To chase; to pursue; to follow. Used for running after something or following a trail.

A Group 1 (godan) verb conjugated with the う row. Versatile verb covering physical chasing (pursuing a thief), following in sequence (日を追って = as days go by), and pursuing goals (夢を追う = to pursue a dream). Appears in many compound verbs like 追いかける, 追い出す, 追い込む.

Examples

1. 猫がネズミを追って走っていた。 The cat was running, chasing a mouse.
2. 彼は子供の頃からの夢を追い続けている。 He's been pursuing his childhood dream ever since.
3. 日を追うごとに暖かくなってきた。 It's getting warmer with each passing day.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, sports, literature

Tone: dynamic

Origin & History

The kanji 追 originally depicted someone following footprints along a path, conveying the idea of pursuit.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal