追(お)い付(つ)く

おいつく
verb (godan)
to catch up with
1. to catch up with, to overtake
To reach the same level or position as someone ahead.
彼(かれ)に追(お)い付(つ)いた。
I caught up with him.
仕事(しごと)が追(お)い付(つ)かない。
I can't keep up with work.
先頭(せんとう)に追(お)い付(つ)こうとした。
I tried to catch up to the front.
日本(にほん)の技術(ぎじゅつ)は世界(せかい)に追(お)い付(つ)いた。
Japan's technology caught up with the rest of the world.
走(はし)って追(お)い付(つ)こうとしたが、バスはもう行(い)ってしまった。
I tried to run and catch up, but the bus had already left.

追(お)い付(つ)く means to catch up with someone or something ahead, either physically or figuratively.

TRANSITIVITY:
Type: 自動詞(じどうし) (intransitive)

PATTERN:
〜に追(お)い付(つ)く: to catch up with ~

COMMON USES:

  • 彼(かれ)に追(お)い付(つ)く: to catch up with him
  • 仕事(しごと)に追(お)い付(つ)かない: can't keep up with work
  • 時代(じだい)に追(お)い付(つ)く: to keep up with the times

RELATED VERBS:

  • 追(お)う: to chase, pursue
  • 追(お)い越(こ)す: to overtake, pass (go beyond)
  • 追(お)い掛(か)ける: to chase after, run after
core
Added 2026.1.9 21:10 · Revised 2026.2.21 13:07
02000/02015_oitsuku