つきまとう

つ

き

ま

と

う

Freq.FrequencyTop 50,000

Meanings

1

godan verb (-u), intransitive verb

follow around; shadow; tag along

usually written using kana alone

Describes a person or animal persistently following someone, often with a nuance of annoyance or unwanted attention.

知しらない男おとこが駅えきからずっとつきまとってきた。
A strange man followed me all the way from the station.

弟おとうとはいつも私わたしの後うしろをつきまとう。

My little brother is always tagging along behind me.

2

godan verb (-u), intransitive verb

haunt; follow (one's mind)

usually written using kana alone

Used for abstract things like thoughts, memories, feelings, or bad luck that persistently stay with someone and are hard to shake off.

その事じ故この記き憶おくが今いまでも頭あたまからつきまとって離はなれない。
The memory of that accident still haunts me and won't go away.
変へんな不ふ安あん感かんが一いち日にち中じゅうつきまとっていた。
A strange feeling of anxiety followed me around all day.

Written forms

つきまとうUsage85%
Usually written in kana; the kanji spellings 付きまとう and 付き纏う are less common.
付つきまとうUsage13%
Kanji spelling using 付く (attach) + まとう (wrap around); less common than kana.
付つき纏まとうUsage2%
Rare kanji spelling using 纏う; the kana form is strongly preferred.

Kanji

付adhere, attach, refer to
纏wear, wrap, tie

Similar words

追おいかける
追いかける is a transitive verb meaning to chase or pursue with intent, while つきまとう is intransitive and emphasizes persistent, often unwanted, following without necessarily trying to catch the person.
まとわりつく
まとわりつく implies physically clinging or sticking close, often used for children or annoying things that won't leave you alone; つきまとう can be physical or abstract and focuses on persistent presence.

Etymology

Compound of 付く (tsuku, 'to attach') + まとう (matou, 'to wrap around, to coil'). The combination conveys the idea of something sticking close and persistently following.