The Meanings and Usages of Similar Compound Verbs: “付き合う・付き添う” and “追い抜く・追い越す“
Table of Contents
1. The Meanings and Usages of Similar Compound Verbs
2. What Are Compound Verbs?
3. 付き合う VS 付き添う
4. 追い抜く VS 追い越す
5. Summary
6. Similer Articles
7. Comment
Q: I don’t really understand the difference between similar verbs like “付き合う・付き添う” and “追い抜く・追い越す.”
A: These are called compound verbs, formed by combining two verbs or word elements. Even if the first part is the same, the meaning can change significantly depending on the second part. By understanding these differences, you can greatly expand your range of expression in Japanese.
What Are Compound Verbs?
Compound verbs are verbs formed by combining two words, usually verbs.
The first part expresses the main action, while the second part conveys meanings such as direction, result, continuation, beginning, completion, or intention. Together, they express subtle meanings and nuances that a single verb alone cannot convey.
[Characteristics]
・The first and second verbs combine to express one complete action
・Even with the same first element, the meaning can change greatly depending on the second element
・Widely used in a variety of contexts, from everyday conversation to business situations
Commonly Used Compound Verbs (with the Same First Element)
| Compound Verb | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| 言い出す | To bring something up or start speaking on one’s own initiative | 会議が始まっても、誰も新しい提案を言い出さなかった。 Even after the meeting started, no one brought up a new proposal. |
| 言い切る | To say something clearly and with confidence | それが正しいとは言い切れない。 I can’t say for sure that it’s correct. |
| 取り上げる | To take up as a topic / to pick something up and handle it | ニュース番組でその事件が大きく取り上げられた。 The incident was prominently featured in the news program. |
| 取り締まる | To regulate or crack down on violations or criminal acts | 警察が違法駐車を厳しく取り締まっている。 The police are strictly cracking down on illegal parking. |
| 押し通す | To carry out one’s opinion despite opposition | 彼は自分の意見を最後まで押し通した。 He stuck to his opinion and followed through with it to the end. |
| 押し寄せる | To come all at once with great force and in large numbers | 台風の影響で、高波が岸に押し寄せてきた。 Due to the typhoon, high waves came crashing onto the shore. |
| 立ち上がる | To stand up from a seated position / to start something new | 市民たちが新しい運動を立ち上げた。 The citizens launched a new movement. |
| 立ち直る | To recover from difficulties, failure, or emotional shock | 失恋のショックから立ち直る には時間がかかった。 It took a long time to recover from the shock of a broken heart. |
In this way, compound verbs help create a natural flow in sentences and allow for more precise and rich expressions.
付き合う VS 付き添う
This article focuses especially on compound verbs like “付き合う・付き添う” and “追い抜く・追い越す,” which may look similar but have different meanings, and explains in detail how to distinguish and use them correctly.
[Meanings of 付き合う]
① To build a close relationship with someone
② To date someone as a romantic partner
③ To accompany someone out of obligation or social reasons
[Examples]
近所の人と親しく付き合うことで、よいコミュニティが生まれました。（①）
A good community was created by building friendly relationships with the neighbors.
彼と付き合って3年になります。（②）
I’ve been dating him for three years.
本当は行きたくなかったけど、姉の買い物に付き合いました。（③）
I didn’t really want to go, but I went shopping with my sister.
“付き合う” is a compound verb formed by combining “付く” (to stay close or attached) and “合う” (to do together).
Because of this, it expresses either a “social or friendly relationship with someone” or “doing something together.” The meaning changes depending on the context, so careful usage is important.
[Examples]
あの会社とは長く付き合っています。
We’ve been doing business with that company for a long time.
⇒ This indicates a long-standing business relationship.
A：今日、買い物に付き合ってよ！
B：えー、君に付き合うと荷物を持たされるからな。
A: Come shopping with me today!
B: Ugh, when I go with you, I always end up carrying the bags.
⇒ Here, “付き合う” is used in the sense of accompanying someone in their activity.
[Meaning of 付き添う]
To stay close and accompany someone who needs help or care, and act together with them.
[Examples]
祖母が病院へ行くのに付き添いました。
My grandmother needed to go to the hospital, so I went with her to support her.
小さなお子様には、大人が付き添ってください。
An adult should accompany small children.
“付き添う” is a compound verb formed by combining “付き” (to stay close) and “添う” (to stay by someone’s side without leaving). This word means to accompany and act alongside someone who needs support or care. While “付き合う” refers to accompanying someone on equal terms, “付き添う” implies accompanying someone from a supportive or helping position — that’s the key difference between the two.
[Examples]
高齢の父に付き添って、役所へ手続きに行きました。
I went to the city office with my elderly father to help him with the paperwork.
⇒ Since my father feels uneasy going alone, I accompanied him to support him.
修学旅行では、教員が生徒に付き添って移動します。
During school trips, teachers accompany the students when they move from place to place.
⇒ An adult needs to stay close in order to ensure the children’s safety and monitor their actions.
追い抜く VS 追い越す
[Meanings of 追い抜く]
① To catch up from behind and move ahead
② To surpass others or a goal in terms of ability or performance
[Examples]
マラソンで前を走っていた選手を追い抜きました。（①）
I passed the runner who had been ahead of me in the marathon.
気づかないうちに、弟に成績を追い抜かれていました。（②）
Before I realized it, my younger brother had surpassed me in grades.
“追い抜く” refers to catching up from behind and moving ahead of someone.
It is often used in competitive situations such as sports, where someone surpasses another in speed and takes the lead.
It can also be used when someone exceeds another person or a goal in terms of academic performance, skills, or ability.
[Examples]
山田選手が、青木選手をすごいスピードで追い抜こうとしています。
Yamada is trying to pass Aoki at an incredible speed.
⇒ This shows a situation in a competition like a marathon, where someone is trying to move ahead faster than their opponent.
みきちゃんと同じくらいの成績だったのに、いつの間にか追い抜かれていました。
I used to have about the same grades as Miki, but before I knew it, she had passed me.
⇒ This describes a situation where someone ended up ahead of me in academic performance.
[Meanings of 追い越す]
① To pass someone who is moving in the same direction and move ahead
② To surpass others in terms of ability or position
[Examples]
後ろにいたはずの車に追い越されました。（①）
I was overtaken by a car that had been behind me.
あの新人が先輩を追い越すのも時間の問題ですね。（②）
It’s only a matter of time before that new employee overtakes the senior one.
“追い越す” refers to catching up with someone who is moving in the same direction, passing them, and moving ahead.
Although it is similar to “追い抜く,” the emphasis is more on the movement of passing and the change in position.
It is often used in fast-moving situations such as with cars, bicycles, or races. It can also be used when someone surpasses others in ability, skill, or performance.
[Examples]
黒い車がすごいスピードで、わたしの車を追い越しました。
The black car sped past mine at incredible speed.
⇒ This shows a fast movement in which the car moved ahead of mine.
後輩に成績を追い越されそうで焦っています。
I’m feeling nervous because it looks like my junior is about to surpass me in grades.
⇒ This describes a situation where someone is about to go ahead of me in terms of ability or achievement.
“追い抜く” and “追い越す” are very similar in meaning, but there are subtle differences, as shown below:
＜In terms of speed＞
① 後ろにいた車に追い抜かれた。
I was passed by a car that had been behind me.
② 後ろにいた車に追い越された。
I was overtaken by a car that had been behind me.
⇒ Both have almost the same meaning, but sentence ② places slightly more emphasis on the fact that the car moved ahead.
＜In terms of ability＞
① 後輩はわたしを追い抜かして、マネージャーになった。
My junior passed me and became the manager.
② 後輩はわたしを追い越して、マネージャーになった。
My junior overtook me and became the manager.
→ Sentence ① focuses on the act of catching up and then passing, while ② gives a stronger impression of not only catching up but also moving ahead in position or rank.
Summary
Compound verbs like “付き合う・付き添う” and “追い抜く・追い越す” can have very different meanings depending on the second part, even if the first part is the same.
By correctly understanding the subtle differences between each verb, you can express yourself in Japanese more naturally and accurately.
| Meaning | Usage Characteristics | Nuance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 付き合う | ① To form a close relationship ② To date someone as a romantic partner ③ To accompany someone out of obligation or social courtesy | Used in contexts involving human relationships, romance, or social situations | “付く” (to attach) + “合う” (to do together) = spending time together. It broadly expresses friendship, cooperation, and shared activity. |
| 付き添う | To stay close in order to assist or support someone | Used in contexts such as caregiving, nursing, or looking after children | “添う” means “to stay by someone’s side.” It assumes that the person needs help and is used when supporting someone in need. |
| Meaning | Usage Characteristics | Nuance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 追い抜く | ① To go past something or someone ahead and move in front ② To surpass others in ability, skill, or performance | Used in competitive situations such as sports or academic results Emphasizes the act of quickly moving past and changing position (moving ahead) | Gives the impression of advancing farther ahead, creating a sense of distance or gap |
| 追い越す | ① To pass and move ahead of someone or something going in the same direction ② To surpass others in ability, skill, or performance | Used in competitive contexts such as sports or grades | Carries the image of pursuing and then getting ahead of someone in front |
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