Explore each form from the oldest known stage to today.
The character 追 (zhuī) evolved from ancient pictographs depicting the concept of 'pursuing' or 'chasing.' Its earliest forms in oracle bone script showed a foot (止 or 辵) following another element, representing the action of following someone. The modern form combines the 'movement' radical (辶) with 阜 (mound/territory), suggesting pursuing across terrain. Throughout Chinese history, 追 has maintained its core meanings of 'to chase,' 'to pursue,' and 'to seek after,' extending to metaphorical pursuits like tracing history or investigating matters. Arrived in Japan: The character 追 arrived in Japan during the 5th-6th centuries CE, along with the broader introduction of Chinese writing system through Buddhist texts and cultural exchange. It was incorporated into the Japanese language as part of the kanji system, reading as 'tsu(i)' in native Japanese readings and 'tai' in Sino-Japanese readings, retaining its meanings of pursuit and chasing.