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追いかける (おいかける) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Common word JLPT N3 Freq. Frequency Top 20,000 Conjugation Meanings 1
ichidan verb, transitive verb
chase ; run after ; pursue
Transitive verb used for physically chasing a person, animal, or moving thing, and also for pursuing a goal or dream. The object is normally marked with を.
が
公こう
園えん
で
ボール
を
追お
いかけ
て
いる
。
The children are running after a ball in the park.
2
ichidan verb, transitive verb
subsequently ; following that ; and then
Adverbial use in forms such as 追いかけて and especially 追いかけるように. It links two events that happen soon one after another, often with an image of the second following right behind the first rather than literally chasing it.
Written forms 追お いかける Usage 92%
Common mixed kana-kanji spelling and a good default for learners.
追お い 掛か ける Usage 4%
Common fully kanji-style spelling using 掛ける for the second element.
おいかける Usage 4%
追お い 駆か ける Usage 1%
rarely-used kanji form
Rare kanji form; 駆ける can suggest running, but this spelling is not the usual choice.
追おい 掛か ける Usage <1%
search-only kanji form
Search-only form without the expected okurigana; avoid using it in normal writing.
Kanji 追 chase, drive away, follow Similar words 追お う A broader and shorter verb meaning to chase, follow, or pursue; 追いかける often feels more concrete and dynamic, like going after something that is moving away.
追つい 跡せき する More formal or technical, meaning to track or trace someone or something, as in investigations, data, or surveillance.
追つい 求きゅう する Used mainly for pursuing abstract matters such as truth, responsibility, ideals, or profit; it is not normally used for physically running after someone.
Etymology A compound verb from 追い, the continuative form of 追う meaning 'to chase,' plus かける／掛ける, which in compound verbs can add a sense of directing or starting an action toward something. The spelling 追いかける is the practical modern default.
