Nihongo

Kanji Detail of 逐

逐

Level:N1 High
Strokes:10
Stroke Order
Related Words
AI Explanation
Basic Meaning

The core meaning of the kanji 逐 is to "pursue," "chase," "drive out," or "expel." It implies the act of following something or someone closely, with the intention of either catching them, removing them, or forcing them to move. It suggests a sense of energetic movement and determination.

Readings

・On-yomi (音読み): チュウ (chū) ・Kun-yomi (訓読み): お(う) (o(u))

Usage Examples

⚫︎ 追(お)い逐(や)う Translation: To chase away; to drive out ⚫︎ 逐次(ちくじ) Translation: Gradually; step by step ⚫︎ 駆逐(くちく) Translation: Extermination; to drive out; destroyer (as in a warship)

Origin and Formation

The kanji 逐 is a phono-semantic compound (形声文字). The left side is 辶 (しんにょう - shinnyou), which is a radical that depicts "movement" or "walking." The right side is 豕, pronounced as シ (shi) meaning "pig." Together, the kanji implies "to chase after a pig" or "to chase, drive out." Over time, the meaning broadened to encompass the general concept of chasing or pursuing anything.

Menus