追いかけます（おいかけます、oikakemasu）
- to chase

The Japanese verb 追いかけます, which is the polite form of the verb 追いかける, means "to chase," "to pursue," "to run after," "to follow," or "to go after." It implies an action of following someone or something, often with the intention of catching them or reaching them. The action can be physical, like running after someone, or metaphorical, like pursuing a dream or a goal. The nuance depends on the context. The base form 追いかける breaks down into 追い, meaning "to chase", and かける, meaning "to run."

⚫︎犬がボールを追いかけます。 Translation: The dog chases the ball. ⚫︎警察官は犯人を追いかけます。 Translation: The police officer chases the criminal. ⚫︎彼女は彼の夢を追いかけます。 Translation: She pursues his dream.

You use 追いかけます in situations where you want to express the idea of chasing, following, or pursuing something or someone. The word can be applied in various contexts, from physical activities to more abstract concepts. Use the polite form, 追いかけます, in most formal or polite conversations, and use the plain form, 追いかける, when speaking with friends, family, or people you know well.

The verb 追いかけます is written in hiragana as おいかけます. The kanji form is 追いかけます, with 追 meaning "to chase," and かけ comes from the verb かける, meaning "to run." The okurigana (hiragana attached to kanji) is always かけます.

⚫︎追跡します (tsuisekishimasu) - to pursue, to track (more formal) ⚫︎探します (sagashimasu) - to search for, to look for ⚫︎求める (motomeru) - to seek, to desire, to want ⚫︎後を追う (ato o ou) - to follow (literally, "to follow the tracks of")

⚫︎逃げます (nigemasu) - to escape, to run away ⚫︎避けます (sakeimasu) - to avoid, to evade ⚫︎手放す (tebanasu) - to let go, to release

子供たちは公園で鳥を追いかけます。 ・Translation: The children are chasing the birds in the park. ・Explanation: This sentence describes children physically running after birds in a playful context.

彼は自分の目標を達成するために、懸命に仕事を追いかけます。 ・Translation: He works hard to achieve his goal. ・Explanation: This example shows the metaphorical use of the word. He is not physically chasing something, but pursuing his goal.

The verb 追いかける is composed of the verb 追う (ou) meaning "to chase" or "to drive out" and the verb かける (kakeru), which has various meanings including "to run" or "to set in motion." This combination forms the idea of actively pursuing or chasing something.