Meaning
追逐 means to chase or pursue something or someone, often with the sense of running after them. It can refer to physical chasing (like children chasing each other) or metaphorical pursuit (like chasing dreams or fame). The word combines 追 (to chase) and 逐 (to pursue), creating a more formal or literary tone than 追 alone.
Usage
追逐 is more formal and literary than the simpler 追. It's commonly used in written Chinese, news reports, and formal speech. Native speakers often use it to describe animals chasing prey, children playing chase games, or people pursuing abstract goals like success or happiness. It carries a sense of active, ongoing pursuit.
Examples
- 01孩子们在草地上互相追逐玩耍。.The children are chasing each other and playing on the lawn.
- 02他一生都在追逐自己的音乐梦想。.He has been pursuing his music dreams his whole life.
Characters
Common collocations
- 追逐梦想to chase one's dreams
- 追逐名利to pursue fame and fortune
- 互相追逐to chase each other
- 追逐游戏chase game, tag
Antonyms
Origin
Both characters originally relate to pursuit. 追 shows a person running after something, while 逐 combines the radical for movement with the sound component, emphasizing the act of driving forward or chasing away.