Translation guide
The English verb 'pursue' covers a wide range of meanings, from physically chasing someone to striving for a goal or engaging in an activity. This guide organizes the most common and useful Japanese expressions by meaning, helping learners choose the right word for the context.
To physically run after or follow someone or something, often to catch them.
The most common and general verb for physically chasing or running after someone or something.
警察が犯人を追いかけている。
The police are pursuing the criminal.
犬が猫を追いかけた。
The dog chased the cat.
A slightly more formal or literary verb for chasing or following. Often used in written language or set phrases.
記者がスクープを追う。
The reporter pursues a scoop.
A formal, technical term for tracking or pursuing, often used in police or military contexts.
警察は容疑者を追跡している。
The police are tracking the suspect.
To actively work toward a goal, dream, or desired outcome.
The standard verb for pursuing abstract goals like happiness, profit, or ideals. Often used in formal or written contexts.
彼は幸福を追求している。
He pursues happiness.
会社は利益を追求する。
The company pursues profit.
To aim for or aspire to a goal. Very common in everyday speech for career or personal goals.
A phrase meaning 'in pursuit of' or 'seeking', often used in titles or descriptions.
真実を求めて旅に出た。
He set out on a journey in pursuit of the truth.
To continue or carry out an activity, often a hobby, study, or profession.
To work on or tackle something seriously. Commonly used for research, projects, or problems.
彼は新しい研究に取り組んでいる。
He is pursuing new research.
To continue doing something. A simple and versatile pattern for 'pursue' in the sense of continuing an activity.
彼女は趣味として絵を描き続けている。
She continues to pursue painting as a hobby.
To devote oneself to something. Implies focused, dedicated pursuit.
彼は学業に専念している。
He is devoting himself to his studies.
To continue investigating or following up on a matter, lead, or clue.
To investigate or press for answers, often used for questioning or probing into an issue.
記者はその問題を厳しく追及した。
The reporter pursued the issue aggressively.
Can also mean to investigate or seek the truth, overlapping with '追及する' but more about seeking than interrogating.
真実を追求する。
Pursue the truth.
A casual, everyday phrase meaning 'look into it further' or 'follow up on'.
その件についてさらに調べてみます。
I'll pursue that matter further.
To try to win someone's love or favor romantically.
To make romantic advances; to woo. Commonly used for pursuing someone romantically.
彼は彼女に言い寄ったが、断られた。
He pursued her, but she turned him down.
To seduce or sweet-talk someone. Can be used for persistent romantic pursuit, sometimes with a negative nuance.
A loanword from English, used in modern dating contexts to mean 'make a move' or 'approach romantically'.
彼にアプローチしてみようかな。
Maybe I'll try to pursue him.
English uses 'pursue' for many abstract goals (pursue a career, pursue happiness). In Japanese, it's often more natural to use specific verbs like 目指す (aim for) or 取り組む (work on) rather than a direct translation. Overusing 追求する can sound stiff or overly formal.
彼は医者を目指している。
He is pursuing a career as a doctor. (Natural Japanese)
彼は医者としてのキャリアを追求している。
He is pursuing a career as a doctor. (Unnatural, overly literal)
Both mean 'chase', but 追いかける is more common in spoken Japanese for physical chasing. 追う is often used in written language or metaphorical contexts (e.g., 理想を追う 'pursue an ideal'). 追跡する is formal and technical.
子供たちがボールを追いかけている。
The children are chasing the ball. (Natural, spoken)
彼は理想を追い続けた。
He continued to pursue his ideals. (Literary)
彼女は法律の分野でキャリアを積むことにした。
She decided to pursue a career in law.
Natural translation using キャリアを積む (build a career) instead of a direct translation of 'pursue'.
警察は容疑者を追跡している。
The police are pursuing the suspect.
彼は何ヶ月も彼女に言い寄っている。
He has been pursuing her for months.
A more emotional or passionate verb for seeking something, often used for dreams or ideals. Slightly literary.
彼は夢を追い求めている。
He is pursuing his dream.
She is pursuing a career as a doctor.
He pursues her every night.