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追 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
duīto sculptHSK 5, v, 9 strokes, radical 辶, rank #1029, Medium
duīto chase afterHSK 5, v, 9 strokes, radical 辶, rank #1029, Medium
duīto carveHSK 5, v, 9 strokes, radical 辶, rank #1029, Medium
duīto seekHSK 5, v, 9 strokes, radical 辶, rank #1029, Medium
duīmusical instrument (old)HSK 5, v, 9 strokes, radical 辶, rank #1029, Medium
duīto do one's utmost to seek or procure sthHSK 5, v, 9 strokes, radical 辶, rank #1029, Medium
duīto recallHSK 5, v, 9 strokes, radical 辶, rank #1029, Medium
duīto pursue, to chase after; to expelHSK 5, v, 9 strokes, radical 辶, rank #1029, Medium
zhuīto sculptHSK 5, v, 9 strokes, radical 辶, rank #1029, Medium
zhuīto chase afterHSK 5, v, 9 strokes, radical 辶, rank #1029, Medium
zhuīto carveHSK 5, v, 9 strokes, radical 辶, rank #1029, Medium
zhuīto seekHSK 5, v, 9 strokes, radical 辶, rank #1029, Medium
zhuīmusical instrument (old)HSK 5, v, 9 strokes, radical 辶, rank #1029, Medium
zhuīto do one's utmost to seek or procure sthHSK 5, v, 9 strokes, radical 辶, rank #1029, Medium
zhuīto recallHSK 5, v, 9 strokes, radical 辶, rank #1029, Medium
zhuīto pursue, to chase after; to expelHSK 5, v, 9 strokes, radical 辶, rank #1029, Medium
duī(dui1)
primary
T1
  1. 1to sculpt
  2. 2to chase after
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
duī(dui1)

The character 追 (duī) primarily means 'to chase after' or 'to pursue.' It can be used in various contexts, such as chasing a person or an idea, and also has connotations of seeking or striving for something with great effort. Additionally, it can refer to the act of recalling memories or the art of sculpting.

Strokes9RadicalFrequency#1029DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of pursuing one's dreams or goals is significant, often linked to the idea of perseverance and hard work. The phrase 追梦 (chasing dreams) is commonly used and reflects the value placed on ambition and dedication.

Memory Tip

Imagine a person running after a train, desperately trying to catch up – this represents the action of 追 (duī). The character has a 'foot' component, which helps you visualize the act of running or chasing, while the upper part can remind you of the direction of pursuit.

Meanings of 追

duī(dui1)
primary
1to sculpt
2to chase after
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 追

Simplified
9Strokes
Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#1029Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5ElementaryTOCFLL3HSKKL2BCTCEFRA2

Podcast: 追

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Podcast:

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AI Study Notes for 追

Quick Contrast

追 (duī) vs 跟 (gēn) — use 追 for actively pursuing or chasing, while 跟 implies following someone or something.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a person running after a train, desperately trying to catch up – this represents the action of 追 (duī). The character has a 'foot' component, which helps you visualize the act of running or chasing, while the upper part can remind you of the direction of pursuit.

Usage Notes

Be cautious with the context in which you use 追, as it can imply urgency or desperation. Common collocations include 追求 (to pursue, to seek) and 追踪 (to track). Ensure you use the correct tone when saying it, as mispronunciation can lead to confusion with similar-sounding words.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 5 word, 追 connects well with other action verbs. Focus on its usage in compound verbs and phrases, such as 追求 (to pursue) and 追赶 (to catch up). This will enhance your understanding and ability to use it in varied contexts.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of pursuing one's dreams or goals is significant, often linked to the idea of perseverance and hard work. The phrase 追梦 (chasing dreams) is commonly used and reflects the value placed on ambition and dedication.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 追 with similar verbs like 跑 (pǎo, to run) or 赶 (gǎn, to hurry). For example, saying '我在追他去商店' (I am chasing him to the store) might imply a physical chase, which is incorrect if the context is about pursuing a goal. Instead, use '我在追求一个目标' (I am pursuing a goal).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 追

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Etymology of 追

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 辶 represents the meaning and 𠂤 represents the sound.

Memory Hint

walk

Semantic (meaning)
+
Phonetic (sound)
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 追?

Decomposition of 追

IDS Structure⿺辶⿱丿㠯
Full Character
=
chuo4
enclosing
丿pie3
top
yi3
bottom
Exercise 1 of 3

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 追?

Write 追

Practice writing stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 追

追 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 8 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The patterns below break down its most common sentence frames, with example sentences and practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) for each one.

是…的 emphasis是 + [V] + 的
HSK 3

...

这是我追的目标。

Zhè shì wǒ zhuī de mùbiāo.

This is the goal I am chasing after.

Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

她听完解释,便不再____问了。

After hearing the explanation, she stopped asking further questions.

Common Confusions with 追

vs
chuí

Similar pronunciation; different meaning.

Exercise 1 of 1

Spot the Difference

Which character means "to sculpt"?

or

Usage Notes for 追

Confusion with '追求'Common Error

'追' can mean to chase, while '追求' means to pursue or seek after something (like a goal or dream).

1

他追梦。

He chases his dreams.

2

他追求理想。

He pursues his ideals.

Exercise 1 of 1

Fill in the Blank

他____梦。

He chases his dreams.

Example Sentences for 追 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
我正追查几件可能互相关联的事。

wǒ zhèng zhuī chá jī jiàn kě néng hù xiāng guān lián de shì。

I'm following up a few things that might dovetail.
2
我停住脚步,等她追上来。

wǒ tíng zhù jiǎo bù, , děng tā zhuī shàng。

I stopped and waited for her to catch up.
3
这个团体与叙利亚的关系可以追溯到《圣经》时代。

zhè gè tuán tǐ yǔ xù lì yà de guān xì kě yǐ zhuī sù dào《 《 shèng》 jīng 》。

The community's links with Syria date back to biblical times.
4
他们的休闲服系列瞄准的是追求时髦的13到25岁青少年。

tā mén de xiū xián fú xì liè miáo zhǔn de shì zhuī qiú shí máo de13 1325 dào 25 suì qīng。

Their range of leisurewear is aimed at fashion-conscious 13 to 25 year-olds.
5
经过3个周末的追求之后,帕梅拉接受了伦道夫的求婚。

jīng guò3 3 gè zhōu mò de zhuī qiú zhī, hòu , pà méi lā jiē shòu le lún dào fū de。

After a three-weekend courtship, Pamela accepted Randolph's proposal of marriage.
6
这枚胸针的历史可以追溯到公元前4世纪。

zhè méi xiōng zhēn de lì shǐ kě yǐ zhuī sù dào gōng yuán qián4 4 shì。

The brooch dates back to the fourth century BC.
7
他每隔五分钟就跑来追问我这件事。

tā měi gé wǔ fēn zhōng jiù pǎo lái zhuī wèn wǒ zhè jiàn shì。

He ran in every five minutes to pump me about the case.
8
这位精神病学家将她的一些问题成功地追溯到她童年时代遭受的严重创伤。

zhè wèi jīng shén bìng xué jiā jiāng tā de yī xiē wèn tí chéng gōng dì zhuī sù dào tā tóng nián shí dài zāo shòu de yán zhòng chuàng shāng。

The psychiatrist successfully traced some of her problems to severe childhood traumas.
9
去年12月他们追捕到其中一名匪徒并将其击毙。

qù nián12 12 yuè tā mén zhuī bǔ dào qí zhōng yī míng fěi tú bìng jiāng qí jī。

Last December they hunted down and killed one of the gangsters.
10
几乎是凭着一股疯狂的热情,马克斯警告人们不要刻意追求晒成一身古铜色。

jī hū shì píng zháo yī gǔ fēng kuáng de rè qíng, , mǎ kè sī jǐng gào rén mén bù yào kè yì zhuī qiú shài chéng yī shēn gǔ tóng。

With almost evangelical fervour, Marks warns against deliberately seeking a tan.

Cultural Notes for 追

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, the concept of pursuing one's dreams or goals is significant, often linked to the idea of perseverance and hard work. The phrase 追梦 (chasing dreams) is commonly used and reflects the value placed on ambition and dedication.

Word Family of 追

Compounds8
chui2hammer, mallet; to beat, to strike
zhui4to climb a rope; to hang, to rappel
Words Containing This Character20
duīto seek
追求zhuīqiúto woo
追踪zhuīzōngto trace追蹤
追究zhuījiūto investigate
追查to trace
追逐zhuīzhúto chase
追捕to pursue
追随zhuīsuíto follow追隨
追赶zhuīgǎnto pursue追趕
追寻to pursue追尋
追问zhuīwènto question closely追問
追溯zhuīsùlit. to go upstream
追加addendum
追击to pursue and attack追擊
追上to overtake
追随者follower追隨者
追回to get back
追悼会zhuīdàohuìa memorial service追悼會
追忆to recollect追憶
追悼zhuīdàoto mourn
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 槌 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 追

追 (zhuī) generally implies a more active pursuit, such as chasing after someone or something, while 寻 (xún) means to search or seek without the connotation of urgency. For example, you would use 追 when you are actively running after something or someone, whereas 寻 is more about looking for something that may take time.