To chase, run after, or pursue someone or something; to follow in pursuit (literal or figurative).
警察が泥棒を追って路地に飛び込んだ。
The police chased the thief into the alley.
子供がボールを追いかけて道路に飛び出した。
The child chased the ball and ran out into the road.
彼は夢を追うために海外へ渡った。
He went abroad to pursue his dream.
To follow a sequence, trend, or order; to pursue or keep up with a trend, schedule, or set of steps.
手順を一つずつ追って作業してください。
Please follow the steps one by one when doing the task.
彼女は流行を追うより、自分の服装を大事にしている。
She values her own style more than following fashion trends.
ニュースを毎日追っていると、新しい事実が分かった。
By following the news every day, I learned new facts.
To drive out, expel, or oust someone or something from a place or position.
村人たちは野生の猪を山へ追った。
The villagers drove the wild boar back into the mountains.
不正が発覚して、社長は取締役会から追われた。
When the wrongdoing was discovered, the president was driven out by the board.
古い家具を粗大ゴミとして追い出した。
They got rid of the old furniture as bulky waste.
To drive (a herd) or move animals in a direction; to herd.
農夫たちは羊を丘へ追った。
The farmers herded the sheep up to the hill.
子馬を母馬の方へ追い戻した。
They herded the foal back toward its mother.
To be pressed (e.g., for time) or to be hard-pressed by circumstances; typically used in the passive '〜に追われる'.
締め切りに追われて昼食も取れなかった。
I was pressed by deadlines and couldn't even have lunch.
彼は借金に追われて家にいられなくなった。
He was driven out of his home by debts (was pressed by debts).
会場準備に追われ、休む暇がない。
We're so busy preparing the venue that there's no time to rest.