Meaning and Usage
The verb '쫓아가다' means 'to chase after' or 'to pursue' someone or something by going after them. It is commonly used in everyday conversation when describing physically following or running after a person, animal, or vehicle.
Common Contexts
You will often hear '쫓아가다' in contexts involving chasing a thief, catching a bus, or children playing by running after animals. It emphasizes the action of moving quickly to catch up with the target.
Collocations and Patterns
- 쫓아가다 + object: to chase after something or someone.
- ~를 쫓아가다: used to indicate the target of the chase.
- 쫓아가느라: expressing the reason or cause related to chasing (e.g., 쫓아가느라 뛰었어요 - I ran because I was chasing).
Register and Politeness
'쫓아가다' is a neutral verb suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It is often used in spoken Korean.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse '쫓아가다' with '따라가다' (to follow). The difference is that '쫓아가다' implies active chasing, often with urgency or speed, while '따라가다' can mean simply following without haste or pursuit.