Translation guide
The English word 'pursuit' covers several distinct ideas: chasing something, striving for a goal, engaging in an activity, and legal chase. Japanese uses different words and patterns for each.
Physically running after or following someone/something to catch them.
The most direct equivalent for 'pursuit' as chasing or tracking. Used for police chases, animal tracking, or following a target.
警察は容疑者の追跡を続けている。
The police are continuing the pursuit of the suspect.
Nominalized form of the verb 'to chase'. More casual and everyday than 追跡.
犬が猫を追いかけるのをやめない。
The dog won't stop its pursuit of the cat.
Pursuit in a military or aggressive context, like chasing down an enemy. Not for everyday use.
敵軍の追撃が始まった。
The pursuit of the enemy forces began.
The act of trying to achieve something abstract like happiness, knowledge, or success.
The standard word for 'pursuit' of abstract goals (happiness, truth, profit). Very common.
幸福の追求は人間の権利だ。
The pursuit of happiness is a human right.
彼は真実の追求に人生を捧げた。
He devoted his life to the pursuit of truth.
Verb phrase meaning 'to seek eagerly'. More active and emotional than 追求. Often used for dreams, ideals.
彼女は夢を追い求めている。
She is in pursuit of her dreams.
Pursuit in the sense of exploration or research, often for knowledge or truth. More intellectual nuance.
The act of doing something regularly as a hobby, job, or interest.
Formal pattern for 'engagement in an activity/profession'. Often used in official contexts.
彼は学術研究に従事している。
He is engaged in the pursuit of academic research.
Simple nominalization using こと. Very flexible and natural in speech.
趣味として絵を描くことを楽しんでいる。
I enjoy the pursuit of painting as a hobby.
Means 'activity'. Can be used for 'pursuit' when referring to leisure or organized activities.
Pursuit in a legal context, such as 'hot pursuit' or right of pursuit.
Also used in legal contexts for pursuit of a fugitive or vehicle.
緊急追跡の権利が認められている。
The right of hot pursuit is recognized.
Can mean pursuit in the sense of investigating or pressing someone (e.g., pursuing responsibility). Overlaps with 追求 but often used for accountability.
追求 (ついきゅう) is for abstract goals (happiness, profit). 追跡 (ついせき) is for physical chasing (police, animals). 探求 (たんきゅう) is for intellectual exploration (truth, knowledge). Don't mix them up.
In English, 'pursuit' can sound formal for hobbies. In Japanese, using 追求 for a hobby sounds unnatural. Use 趣味 (しゅみ) or simple verb phrases instead.
趣味は写真を撮ることです。
My hobby/pursuit is photography.
幸福の追求は基本的人権です。
The pursuit of happiness is a fundamental right.
警察は強盗を緊急追跡している。
The police are in hot pursuit of the robbers.
彼女は芸術家になるという夢を追い求めて仕事を辞めた。
She left her job in pursuit of her dream to become an artist.
科学者は知識の探求に励む。
Scientists engage in the pursuit of knowledge.
週末はアウトドア活動を楽しむ。
On weekends I enjoy outdoor pursuits.
彼は責任の追及を受けた。
He faced pursuit of responsibility.