Japanese symbol for “pursue”
追う
おう
Romaji: ou
to chase; to run after; to pursue; to follow after
In Japanese, pursue is 追う, read おう (ou).
Before using these characters for a tattoo, check them with a native speaker. Dictionary words often have several meanings, and the right choice depends on context.
Meanings
- v5u, vt to chase; to run after; to pursue; to follow after
- v5u, vt to follow (a set order, a trend, etc.)
- v5u, vt to drive out; to get rid of; to oust; to expel
- v5u, vt to drive (e.g. a herd)
- v5u, vt to be pressed (e.g. for time)
Written forms: 追う、逐う. Readings: おう.
Kanji and stroke order
Other Japanese words for “pursue”
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 追い求める | おいもとめる oimotomeru | to pursue |
| 追いかける | おいかける oikakeru | to chase; to run after; to pursue |
| 追っかける | おっかける okkakeru | to chase; to run after; to pursue |
| 問う | とう tou | to blame (someone) for; to accuse of; to pursue (question of responsibility) |
| 求める | もとめる motomeru | to seek; to search for; to look for |
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 追加 | ついか tsuika | addition; supplement; appending |
| 追放 | ついほう tsuihou | exile; banishment; eviction |
| 追及 | ついきゅう tsuikyuu | investigation (e.g. into someone's guilt); questioning; pressing |
| 追跡 | ついせき tsuiseki | chase; pursuit; tracking |
| 追求 | ついきゅう tsuikyuu | pursuit (of a goal, ideal, etc.); search; chase |
See also: Chinese symbol for “pursue”.
Data: JMdict (CC BY-SA 4.0); KANJIDIC2 (CC BY-SA 4.0); KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0); wordfreq (CC BY-SA 4.0 (data)). Retrieved 2026-10-22.