Chinese Word
Archive
← Today's word Archive
verb HSK 5
zhuī jiū
to investigate · to look into · to get to the bottom of · to hold accountable

Meaning

追究 means to investigate something thoroughly or to hold someone accountable for their actions. It emphasizes digging deep into a matter to find the truth or determine responsibility, often used in legal, administrative, or formal contexts when someone has done something wrong.

Usage

This verb is commonly used in formal or official contexts, especially when discussing responsibility for mistakes, accidents, or wrongdoing. It often appears with 责任 (zérèn, responsibility) as in 追究责任 (to hold accountable). Native speakers use it when discussing consequences or investigations, not in casual conversation about minor issues.

Examples

  1. 01
    公司决定追究这次事故的责任。
    Gōng sī jué dìng zhuī jiū zhè cì shì gù de zé rèn.
    The company decided to investigate the responsibility for this accident.
  2. 02
    如果你违反规定，我们会追究到底。
    Rú guǒ nǐ wéi fǎn guī dìng, wǒ men huì zhuī jiū dào dǐ.
    If you violate the rules, we will investigate to the very end.

Characters

Common collocations

  • 追究责任
    zhuī jiū zé rèn
    to hold someone accountable, to investigate responsibility
  • 追究原因
    zhuī jiū yuán yīn
    to investigate the cause
  • 追究到底
    zhuī jiū dào dǐ
    to investigate to the end, to get to the bottom of
  • 不予追究
    bù yǔ zhuī jiū
    not to pursue (legal action), to let go unpunished

Antonyms

Origin

The word combines 追 (to pursue/chase) with 究 (to investigate thoroughly), literally meaning 'to pursue an investigation' or 'to chase down the truth.'

Related