追おいつく

godan verb (-ku), intransitive verb

catch up with; draw level with; reach

Intransitive verb used with に for the person, thing, level, or pace one catches up to. It can be physical or abstract, and is often negative as 追いつかない, meaning something cannot keep up.

• 彼かれは全ぜん力りょくで走はしって、前まえの選せん手しゅに追おいついた。

  He ran with all his might and caught up with the runner ahead.

• 注ちゅう文もんが多おおすぎて、生せい産さんが追おいつかない。

  There are too many orders, and production cannot keep up.

godan verb (-ku), intransitive verb

be made up for; be compensated for; make up for one's losses

Limited use for a loss, mistake, or damage being made good; it is especially natural in negative expressions such as 追いつかない, meaning that compensation or regret is no longer enough.

• 今いまさら後こう悔かいしても追おいつかない。

  Regretting it now will not make up for it.