1.
to chase, to run after
To follow someone or something quickly in order to catch them.
犬が猫を追い掛けた。
The dog chased the cat.
子どもたちが友だちを追い掛けている。
The children are chasing their friend.
泥棒を追い掛けて捕まえた。
I chased the thief and caught him.
警察が逃げた犯人を車で追い掛けた。
The police chased the escaped criminal by car.
彼は電車に乗り遅れそうになって、ホームを走って追い掛けた。
He was about to miss the train, so he ran along the platform chasing after it.
2.
to pursue, to go after
To seek or strive for something such as a goal, dream, or career.
夢を追い掛けている。
I am pursuing my dream.
目標を追い掛けて毎日頑張っている。
I am working hard every day pursuing my goal.
若い頃は音楽の道を追い掛けていた。
When I was young, I was pursuing a career in music.
理想ばかり追い掛けていても、何も始まらない。
Nothing will happen if you just keep chasing ideals.
彼女は家族の反対を押し切って、自分の夢を追い掛け続けた。
She kept pursuing her dream despite her family's opposition.
追い掛ける is a transitive verb (他動詞) meaning to chase or pursue.
COMPOUND STRUCTURE:
- 追う (to chase) + 掛ける (to hang on, to start) → to keep chasing
ASPECT (ている):
追い掛けている indicates an ongoing chase or pursuit.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 犯人を追い掛ける (chase a criminal)
- 夢を追い掛ける (pursue a dream)
- 目標を追い掛ける (pursue a goal)
- 追い掛けっこ (a game of chase/tag)
VARIANT:
- 追いかける: same verb, sometimes written without {掛}
RELATED WORDS:
- 追い越す: to overtake (catch up and pass)
- 追い掛ける focuses on the act of chasing, not necessarily catching
[Register: Neutral]
Related Words
Related:
追い越す (to overtake)