What is the difference between Tsuite kuru (ついて くる) and Tadoru (たどる)?


In my Japanese phrase book it says:

> **Tadoru** - To follow.

But then later on it says

> **Watashitachi mo soko ni ikimasu desu node, tsuite kite kudasai** - We are
> going there, so you can follow us.

It seems `tsuite kite` is being used to convey the meaning of `follow`. But
`tsuite kite` is [defined as to
`arrive/reach`](https://www.tanoshiijapanese.com/dictionary/index.cfm?j=tsuite&e=&search=Search%20%3E).
So why isn't `Tadoru` being used?

What is the difference between Tsuite kuru (ついて くる) and Tadoru (たどる)? When
would you use one over the other?




The difference is in _what_ you are following.

たどる is "follow" in the sense of tracing a path. That can be a literal path or
a metaphorical one, such as the thread of a memory or a line of text. You
generally use it with the object marker, を. For example, 道{みち}をたどる: follow a
road. If you’re talking about following a person, you refer to the path they
took or made, such as in ボブの足跡{あしあと}をたどる: trace Bob’s footsteps. (If you たどる
Bob and not his footsteps it sounds a bit kinky.)

ついてくる is "follow" in the sense of "come with" or "tag along with" someone or
something. ついて is from 付く (not 着く, as JBCUAI noted), and means "stick to". くる
is "come." So, literally, ついてくる means "stick to (someone/something) and come."
You usually mark what or whom is being followed with に. For example,
わたしについてきて: Follow me. You can also use it to associate related objects, such
as 納豆{なっとう}についてくる辛子{からし}: the mustard that comes with natto.

Overall, 〜をたどる is a much more literary term with limited uses, so you should
use 〜についてくる for when you’re talking about following people.

Edit to add: Also, you might need to use 〜についていく instead, depending on who is
getting followed and where they are in relation to the one doing the
following.




The difference is in _what_ you are following.

たどる is "follow" in the sense of tracing a path. That can be a literal path or
a metaphorical one, such as the thread of a memory or a line of text. You
generally use it with the object marker, を. For example, 道{みち}をたどる: follow a
road. If you’re talking about following a person, you refer to the path they
took or made, such as in ボブの足跡{あしあと}をたどる: trace Bob’s footsteps. (If you たどる
Bob and not his footsteps it sounds a bit kinky.)

ついてくる is "follow" in the sense of "come with" or "tag along with" someone or
something. ついて is from 付く (not 着く, as JBCUAI noted), and means "stick to". くる
is "come." So, literally, ついてくる means "stick to (someone/something) and come."
You usually mark what or whom is being followed with に. For example,
わたしについてきて: Follow me. You can also use it to associate related objects, such
as 納豆{なっとう}についてくる辛子{からし}: the mustard that comes with natto.

Overall, 〜をたどる is a much more literary term with limited uses, so you should
use 〜についてくる for when you’re talking about following people.

Edit to add: Also, you might need to use 〜についていく instead, depending on who is
getting followed and where they are in relation to the one doing the
following.

