Translation guide
The English verb 'pursue' covers a wide range of meanings, from physically chasing someone to striving for a goal or engaging in an activity. This guide organizes the most common and useful Japanese expressions by meaning, helping learners choose the right word for the context.
To physically run after or follow someone or something, often to catch them.
The most common and general verb for physically chasing or running after someone or something.
The police are pursuing the criminal.
The dog chased the cat.
A slightly more formal or literary verb for chasing or following. Often used in written language or set phrases.
The reporter pursues a scoop.
A formal, technical term for tracking or pursuing, often used in police or military contexts.
The police are tracking the suspect.
To actively work toward a goal, dream, or desired outcome.
The standard verb for pursuing abstract goals like happiness, profit, or ideals. Often used in formal or written contexts.
He pursues happiness.
The company pursues profit.
To aim for or aspire to a goal. Very common in everyday speech for career or personal goals.
A phrase meaning 'in pursuit of' or 'seeking', often used in titles or descriptions.
He set out on a journey in pursuit of the truth.
To continue or carry out an activity, often a hobby, study, or profession.
To work on or tackle something seriously. Commonly used for research, projects, or problems.
He is pursuing new research.
To continue doing something. A simple and versatile pattern for 'pursue' in the sense of continuing an activity.
To devote oneself to something. Implies focused, dedicated pursuit.
He is devoting himself to his studies.
To continue investigating or following up on a matter, lead, or clue.
To investigate or press for answers, often used for questioning or probing into an issue.
The reporter pursued the issue aggressively.
Can also mean to investigate or seek the truth, overlapping with '追及する' but more about seeking than interrogating.
Pursue the truth.
A casual, everyday phrase meaning 'look into it further' or 'follow up on'.
I'll pursue that matter further.
To try to win someone's love or favor romantically.
To make romantic advances; to woo. Commonly used for pursuing someone romantically.
He pursued her, but she turned him down.
To seduce or sweet-talk someone. Can be used for persistent romantic pursuit, sometimes with a negative nuance.
A loanword from English, used in modern dating contexts to mean 'make a move' or 'approach romantically'.
Maybe I'll try to pursue him.
English uses 'pursue' for many abstract goals (pursue a career, pursue happiness). In Japanese, it's often more natural to use specific verbs like 目指す (aim for) or 取り組む (work on) rather than a direct translation. Overusing 追求する can sound stiff or overly formal.
He is pursuing a career as a doctor. (Natural Japanese)
He is pursuing a career as a doctor. (Unnatural, overly literal)
Both mean 'chase', but 追いかける is more common in spoken Japanese for physical chasing. 追う is often used in written language or metaphorical contexts (e.g., 理想を追う 'pursue an ideal'). 追跡する is formal and technical.
The children are chasing the ball. (Natural, spoken)
She decided to pursue a career in law.
Natural translation using キャリアを積む (build a career) instead of a direct translation of 'pursue'.
The police are pursuing the suspect.
He has been pursuing her for months.
A more emotional or passionate verb for seeking something, often used for dreams or ideals. Slightly literary.
He is pursuing his dream.
彼女は医者を目指している。
She is pursuing a career as a doctor.
She continues to pursue painting as a hobby.
彼は毎晩彼女を口説いている。
He pursues her every night.
He continued to pursue his ideals. (Literary)