zhuījiū: 追究 - To investigate, To look into, To hold responsible [Contextual Chinese Dictionary]

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====== zhuījiū: 追究 - To investigate, To look into, To hold responsible ======
===== Quick Summary =====
  * **Keywords:** zhuijiu, 追究, 追究 meaning, Chinese verb investigate, hold someone accountable in Chinese, 追究责任, zhuījiū zérèn, legal responsibility Chinese, investigate a matter, get to the bottom of something
  * **Summary:** The Chinese verb `追究` (zhuījiū) means to investigate a matter, often a mistake or wrongdoing, with the specific purpose of assigning responsibility or blame. It goes beyond a simple "inquiry" and implies a serious, determined pursuit of accountability. Commonly used in legal, corporate, or formal contexts, `追究` is the action taken to get to the bottom of a problem and determine who must answer for it.
===== Core Meaning =====
<hanziwriter>追究</hanziwriter>
  * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** zhuījiū
  * **Part of Speech:** Verb
  * **HSK Level:** HSK 5
  * **Concise Definition:** To investigate or look into something in order to determine responsibility.
  * **In a Nutshell:** `追究` isn't just about finding out what happened; it's about finding out *who is to blame*. Think of it as an investigation with teeth. When a company has a major accident, a government official is suspected of corruption, or a contract is broken, the authorities or leadership will `追究` the matter. The word carries a heavy, serious tone, implying that consequences will follow once the truth is uncovered.
===== Character Breakdown =====
  * **追 (zhuī):** This character means "to chase," "to pursue," or "to follow." It depicts a sense of active, forward motion to catch up with something.
  * **究 (jiū):** This character means "to investigate," "to study," or "to get to the bottom of." It contains the radical for "hole" or "cave" (穴), suggesting a deep and thorough exploration.
  * When combined, `追究` (zhuījiū) literally means "to chase and investigate." This creates a powerful image of relentlessly pursuing the details of an incident to uncover the ultimate cause and the party responsible for it.
===== Cultural Context and Significance =====
  * In Chinese culture, particularly in official and corporate environments, maintaining order and clarity of responsibility is paramount. `追究` embodies the principle that serious mistakes cannot be ignored or swept under the rug. The act of formally investigating to assign blame is a way to restore balance, uphold standards, and ensure the mistake is not repeated.
  * This can be contrasted with some Western cultural tendencies to, at times, de-emphasize individual blame in favor of "systems thinking" or a "no-blame culture" to encourage transparency. While both approaches have their merits, `追究` reflects a cultural value where clear accountability is seen as a cornerstone of a functional system. Failing to `追究` a serious error could be seen as a sign of weak leadership or a corrupt system, leading to a loss of face for the entire organization. It's not just about punishment, but about demonstrating that the system of rules and responsibilities is being taken seriously.
===== Practical Usage in Modern China =====
  * `追究` is a formal and serious term. You will frequently encounter it in news reports, legal documents, official announcements, and corporate memos. It is not used in casual, everyday conversation for minor issues.
  * **Legal and Official Contexts:** This is the most common use. When a crime is committed or a regulation is violated, the authorities will `追究` legal responsibility (`追究法律责任`).
  * **Corporate and Business Contexts:** If there is a major project failure, a safety accident, or a financial loss, management will announce they are going to `追究` the matter to find the responsible department or individual.
  * **The Inseparable Phrase: `追究责任`**
    * The most common collocation by far is `追究责任 (zhuījiū zérèn)`, which means "to hold (someone) accountable" or "to assign responsibility." This phrase is a set chunk of language that learners should memorize.
===== Example Sentences =====
  * **Example 1:** 
    * 警方一定会**追究**到底，找出真凶。
    * Pinyin: Jǐngfāng yídìng huì **zhuījiū** dàodǐ, zhǎo chū zhēnxiōng.
    * English: The police will definitely investigate to the very end and find the real culprit.
    * Analysis: This shows the "relentless pursuit" aspect of `追究`. The phrase `追究到底 (zhuījiū dàodǐ)` means "to get to the bottom of it."
  * **Example 2:** 
    * 对于这次的重大事故，公司必须**追究**相关人员的责任。
    * Pinyin: Duìyú zhècì de zhòngdà shìgù, gōngsī bìxū **zhuījiū** xiāngguān rényuán de zérèn.
    * English: Regarding this major accident, the company must hold the relevant personnel accountable.
    * Analysis: A classic example of `追究责任` in a corporate context. It’s a formal statement indicating serious consequences are coming.
  * **Example 3:** 
    * 他因为害怕被**追究**责任，所以选择了逃跑。
    * Pinyin: Tā yīnwèi hàipà bèi **zhuījiū** zérèn, suǒyǐ xuǎnzéle táopǎo.
    * English: He chose to run away because he was afraid of being held responsible.
    * Analysis: Here, `追究` is used in the passive voice with `被 (bèi)`, which is very common. "to be held accountable."
  * **Example 4:** 
    * 按照合同，违约方将被**追究**法律责任。
    * Pinyin: Ànzhào hétong, wéiyuē fāng jiāng bèi **zhuījiū** fǎlǜ zérèn.
    * English: According to the contract, the party that breaches it will be held legally responsible.
    * Analysis: This highlights its use in a legal context. `追究法律责任 (zhuījiū fǎlǜ zérèn)` means to pursue legal liability.
  * **Example 5:** 
    * 这件事已经过去了，我们就不再**追究**了。
    * Pinyin: Zhè jiàn shì yǐjīng guòqù le, wǒmen jiù bù zài **zhuījiū** le.
    * English: This matter is already in the past, so we won't look into it any further.
    * Analysis: This shows the negative form, which means to deliberately decide *not* to assign blame, essentially "letting it go." This is an act of forgiveness or pragmatism.
  * **Example 6:** 
    * 任何泄露公司机密的行为都将被严肃**追究**。
    * Pinyin: Rènhé xièlòu gōngsī jīmì de xíngwéi dōu jiāng bèi yánsù **zhuījiū**.
    * English: Any act of leaking company secrets will be seriously investigated and dealt with.
    * Analysis: `严肃追究 (yánsù zhuījiū)` emphasizes the severity of the investigation and consequences.
  * **Example 7:** 
    * 食品安全问题一旦发生，必须**追究**生产厂家的责任。
    * Pinyin: Shípǐn ānquán wèntí yídàn fāshēng, bìxū **zhuījiū** shēngchǎn chǎngjiā de zérèn.
    * English: Once a food safety issue occurs, the manufacturer's responsibility must be investigated and assigned.
    * Analysis: A common topic in Chinese news. It shows `追究` is used for issues of public interest and safety.
  * **Example 8:** 
    * 他认为，作为领导，他有权**追究**下属的失职。
    * Pinyin: Tā rènwéi, zuòwéi lǐngdǎo, tā yǒu quán **zhuījiū** xiàshǔ de shīzhí.
    * English: He believes that as a leader, he has the right to hold his subordinates accountable for their dereliction of duty.
    * Analysis: This shows the word in the context of hierarchy and management authority.
  * **Example 9:** 
    * 这不仅仅是道德问题，更是可以**追究**刑事责任的犯罪行为。
    * Pinyin: Zhè bùjǐn jǐn shì dàodé wèntí, gèng shì kěyǐ **zhuījiū** xíngshì zérèn de fànzuì xíngwéi.
    * English: This isn't just a moral issue; moreover, it's a criminal act for which criminal responsibility can be pursued.
    * Analysis: `追究刑事责任 (zhuījiū xíngshì zérèn)` is a specific legal term for pursuing criminal liability.
  * **Example 10:** 
    * 我们现在的主要任务是解决问题，而不是**追究**谁对谁错。
    * Pinyin: Wǒmen xiànzài de zhǔyào rènwù shì jiějué wèntí, ér búshì **zhuījiū** shéi duì shéi cuò.
    * English: Our main task right now is to solve the problem, not to get to the bottom of who was right and who was wrong.
    * Analysis: This example contrasts problem-solving with blame-assigning, showing a situation where `追究` is deliberately avoided to focus on more urgent matters.
===== Nuances and Common Mistakes =====
  * **`追究 (zhuījiū)` vs. `调查 (diàochá)`:** This is a crucial distinction for learners.
    * `调查 (diàochá)` is a neutral term meaning "to investigate" or "to survey." The goal is to gather facts and understand a situation. The police `调查` a crime scene. A company `调查` market trends.
    * `追究 (zhuījiū)` is an investigation *with the goal of assigning blame*. It presupposes a negative event (a mistake, an accident, a crime) has already occurred. You `调查` an incident to find out *what* happened; you `追究` the incident to find out *who is responsible*.
  * **Mistake: Using `追究` for trivial matters.**
    * A beginner might try to use `追究` for a small, everyday issue, which sounds overly dramatic and incorrect.
    * **Incorrect:** 我要**追究**谁吃了我的蛋糕！ (Wǒ yào **zhuījiū** shéi chīle wǒ de dàngāo!) - "I will hold accountable whoever ate my cake!"
    * **Why it's wrong:** This sounds like you're about to launch a formal legal inquiry over a piece of cake. It's comical in its seriousness.
    * **Correct:** 我要**找(到)**谁吃了我的蛋糕。 (Wǒ yào zhǎo(dào) shéi chīle wǒ de dàngāo.) - "I want to find who ate my cake."
===== Related Terms and Concepts =====
  * [[责任]] (zérèn) - Responsibility; liability. This is the "thing" that is most often pursued when using `追究`.
  * [[调查]] (diàochá) - To investigate; to survey. The neutral counterpart to `追究`. It's about fact-finding, not necessarily blame-finding.
  * [[追查]] (zhuīchá) - To trace; to track down. Similar to `追究`, but often focuses more on finding a person or evidence, like tracking down a fugitive.
  * [[承担]] (chéngdān) - To bear; to undertake. Often used as `承担责任 (chéngdān zérèn)`, which is the other side of the coin: to accept/bear responsibility.
  * [[过错]] (guòcuò) - Fault; mistake. The reason that someone's responsibility is being investigated (`追究`).
  * [[处理]] (chǔlǐ) - To handle; to deal with; to punish. This is often the action taken after the `追究` process is complete.
  * [[追溯]] (zhuīsù) - To trace back (in time); to date from. It uses the same character `追` (chase), but it's about pursuing an origin or history, not blame.
  * [[计较]] (jìjiào) - To haggle over; to be calculating; to fuss about. While `追究` is a formal pursuit of serious responsibility, `计较` is a personal and often petty focus on minor gains, losses, or wrongdoings.