Meaning and Usage
"追いかける" means "to chase" or "to run after" someone or something. It is often used in both literal and figurative contexts, such as chasing a person, an object, or pursuing a dream.
Common Contexts
You will hear "追いかける" in everyday situations like children chasing a ball, police chasing a suspect, or someone pursuing their goals or dreams.
Collocations and Patterns
- 夢を追いかける: to chase a dream (figurative, common in motivational contexts)
- 犯人を追いかける: to chase a criminal (literal, police or pursuit scenes)
- ボールを追いかける: to chase a ball (literal, children’s play)
Register and Politeness
"追いかける" is a neutral verb suitable for casual and formal conversations. It is commonly used in spoken and written Japanese.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse "追いかける" with "追う" (おう), which also means "to chase" but is more formal and less commonly used in everyday speech. "追いかける" is more natural when describing active chasing or running after something.