Definition
追根 is a verb-object compound (离合词) meaning 'to get to the root of something' or 'to trace something to its source'. As a separable verb, the object 根 can be separated from 追 by aspect markers (了, 过), complements, or modifiers — for example, 追了根 ('traced the root'), 追过根 ('have traced the root'), or 追的是什么根 ('what root are you tracing?'). You cannot place a direct object after 追根; instead use 对…追根 or separate the compound.
v.o.
to get to the root of somethingto trace something to its source
Examples
- 追根。Zhè jiàn shì wǒmen yídìng yào zhuī gēn dàodǐ.We must get to the root of this matter.
- ，。Tā zhuī le bàntiān gēn, háishì méi zhǎodào yuányīn.He traced it for a long time but still didn't find the cause.
- ？Nǐ zhuī de shì shénme gēn?What root are you tracing?
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