Yuka付いて行く and 付きまとう both involve following someone, but one sounds perfectly friendly and the other sounds like stalking!
ReiExactly! 付いて行く just means “to follow” or “go with,” while 付きまとう means to hang around persistently — and it’s almost always negative.
| 付いて行く (tsuiteiku) | 付きまとう (tsukimatou) | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | To follow / go along with | To follow persistently / to cling to |
| Nuance | Neutral or positive | Negative — annoying or threatening |
| Usage | Following a person, keeping up | Stalking, clinging, haunting |
| Example | 先生について行きます。 | あの人は付きまとってくる。 |
付いて行く — Going Along, Following
付いて行く means to follow someone or to go along with them — it is a neutral expression. It can also mean to keep up with something (like a conversation or a fast pace).
- 先生について行きます。— I’ll follow the teacher.
- 話についていけない。— I can’t keep up with the conversation.
- みんなについて行った。— I went along with everyone.
付きまとう — Persistent and Unwanted
付きまとう means to follow someone persistently, to cling to them, or to haunt them. It almost always carries a negative nuance — used for stalking, pestering, or lingering unwanted presence.
- あの人はどこへ行っても付きまとってくる。— That person follows me everywhere.
- 不安が付きまとう。— Anxiety haunts me. (Anxiety keeps following me.)
- 彼は彼女に付きまとっていた。— He was stalking her / hanging around her persistently.
Figurative Use of 付きまとう
付きまとう can be used figuratively for abstract things that “follow you around” — like bad luck, fear, or a reputation.
- リスクが付きまとう。— Risk follows (this plan).
- 疑惑が付きまとっている。— Suspicion clings to him.
Common Mistakes for English Speakers
Don’t use 付きまとう to innocently say you “follow” your teacher or friend — it will sound creepy. For neutral following, always use 付いて行く or ついていく.
Quick Quiz
Which word would you use to say “I followed my friend to the station”?
Answer: 付いて行く — 友達について駅まで行った。
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