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B1 verb 9 دقيقة للقراءة

捕まえる

tsukamaeru

تدرّب عليها أمثلة ملاحظات ونصائح 捕まえる في 30 ثانية

الشرح 捕まえる in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should focus on the most basic physical meaning of 捕まえる (tsukamaeru): 'to catch.' Think of it in the context of games or simple interactions with nature. For example, catching a ball (ボールを捕まえる) or catching a bug (虫を捕まえる). At this stage, you only need to know the basic present and past forms: 捕まえます (polite present) and 捕まえました (polite past). You should also understand that it is a 'transitive' verb, which means you are doing the action to something else. This 'something else' is followed by the particle を. It is a very useful word for describing simple activities in the park or at home. Try to remember it alongside basic nouns like 'ball,' 'dog,' or 'butterfly.' Don't worry about complex legal meanings yet; just think of the physical act of grabbing something that was moving.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

At the A2 level, you can start using 捕まえる (tsukamaeru) for daily logistics and more varied social situations. A key use at this level is 'catching' transportation, specifically a taxi (タクシーを捕まえる). You might also use it when you want to talk to someone who is busy: 'I caught my teacher before the class started.' You should become comfortable with the Te-form (捕まえて) to ask for help, such as 'Please catch that cat!' (その猫を捕まえてください). You will also start to notice the difference between 捕まえる and other verbs like 捕る (toru) for fishing. At A2, you should also be introduced to its intransitive pair, 捕まる (tsukamaru - to be caught), so you don't confuse the two. Understanding that 捕まえる is an Ichidan verb will help you conjugate it more easily into forms like 'want to catch' (捕まえたい).

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

At the B1 level, you should master the 'arrest' meaning of 捕まえる. This is common in stories, news, and conversations about safety or crime. You should be able to understand and use the potential form, 捕まえらえる (can catch), to talk about possibilities, like 'It's hard to catch a taxi in the rain.' You should also begin to use it in more complex sentence structures, such as using it as a noun-modifier: 'The person who caught the thief' (泥棒を捕まえた人). At this stage, you should also be aware of the register differences—knowing that 捕まえる is standard and 逮捕する (taiho suru) is the formal legal term. You can also start using the verb metaphorically, such as 'catching a chance' or 'catching someone's eye,' though physical meanings remain primary. Your ability to distinguish between 捕まえる and 掴む (tsukamu - to grab) should be solidified here.

At the B2 level, you should be able to use 捕まえる (tsukamaeru) fluently in a variety of registers and more abstract contexts. You will encounter the passive form (捕まえられた) and the causative form (捕まえさせた) in complex narratives. You should understand the nuance of 捕まえる in professional settings, such as 'pinning down' a client for a meeting or 'catching' a specific detail in a report. Your vocabulary should expand to include synonyms like 抑える (osaeru - to restrain) and you should know exactly when 捕まえる is the most appropriate choice versus these alternatives. You will also see 捕まえる in more literary contexts, where it might describe 'capturing' the essence of a moment or a feeling. At this level, you should be able to explain the difference between 捕まえる and its related words to a lower-level student, showing a deep understanding of its transitive nature and its specific 'capture' nuance.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

At the C1 level, you are exploring the subtle nuances and idiomatic uses of 捕まえる. You will encounter it in high-level literature and academic discussions regarding law, sociology, or psychology (e.g., 'capturing the public's attention'). You should be comfortable with the most formal versions of the verb and its usage in archaic or specialized contexts (like historical '捕縛'). You will understand how the verb interacts with various particles to change subtle shades of meaning. For example, using it with specific adverbs to describe the manner of capture (e.g., 'skillfully catching'). You should also be able to recognize when 捕まえる is used ironically or sarcastically in social commentary. At this level, the word is not just a verb but a tool for precise expression, allowing you to describe the act of seizing or securing anything from a physical object to a complex ideological concept.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

At the C2 level, your mastery of 捕まえる (tsukamaeru) is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker. You understand the historical evolution of the word and its kanji (捕), including how it relates to other characters in the same family. You can use the verb in any context, from gritty street slang to the most elevated poetic discourse. You are aware of rare collocations and can play with the word's meaning for rhetorical effect. Whether you are analyzing a legal text about the rights of the 'apprehended' or writing a poem about 'catching' the fading light of sunset, you use 捕まえる with absolute precision. You also have a complete grasp of all related grammar, including the most complex causative-passive honorific constructions, even if they are rarely used. The word is a seamless part of your linguistic repertoire, used effortlessly to convey exactly the right degree of force, intent, and result.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

تدرّب عليها أمثلة ملاحظات ونصائح

捕まえる في 30 ثانية

捕まえる (tsukamaeru) is a transitive verb primarily meaning 'to catch' or 'to arrest'. It is used for moving objects, animals, or people.
Commonly used for physical acts like catching a ball, social acts like hailing a taxi, and legal acts like the police catching a thief.
It is an Ichidan verb, conjugated by removing 'ru' and adding suffixes like 'masu', 'ta', or 'te'.
It is frequently confused with its intransitive counterpart 捕まる (tsukamaru), which means 'to be caught' or 'to get caught'.

The Japanese verb 捕まえる (tsukamaeru) is a versatile and essential word that primarily translates to "to catch," "to capture," or "to arrest." At its core, it describes the action of physically seizing something or someone that is moving, attempting to flee, or otherwise not in one's possession. It is a transitive verb, meaning it requires a direct object marked by the particle を (o). Whether you are a child chasing a butterfly in a park, a police officer chasing a suspect through city streets, or a professional trying to hail a taxi on a rainy night, this is the verb you will use. The nuance of the word implies a level of effort or intent to bring something under control or to stop its movement.

Primary Physical Action: The most common use involves physically grasping a moving object or creature. For example, catching a ball (ボールを捕まえる) or catching a bug (虫を捕まえる). It emphasizes the transition from the object being free/moving to being held.

公園で綺麗な蝶を捕まえることができました。
(I was able to catch a beautiful butterfly in the park.)

Legal and Law Enforcement: In the context of crime, this verb means "to arrest" or "to apprehend." When the police (警察) find a criminal (犯人), they "tsukamaeru" them. This usage is very common in news reports and detective dramas.

Beyond physical capture, 捕まえる is frequently used for "catching" transportation or people for communication. If you are at a busy intersection and need a ride, you try to "catch" a taxi (タクシーを捕まえる). If you need to speak with your busy boss, you might wait by their desk to "catch" them (部長を捕まえる) before they head into another meeting. In these instances, the "movement" being stopped is the person's schedule or the vehicle's travel. It is also used metaphorically for grasping opportunities or catching someone's attention. Understanding the breadth of 捕まえる allows you to navigate daily life in Japan with much more precision, as it covers everything from childhood games to professional logistics and legal consequences.

急いでいたので、すぐにタクシーを捕まえる必要がありました。
(I was in a hurry, so I needed to catch a taxi right away.)

Social Context: When you want to talk to someone who is busy or constantly on the move, you use this verb to describe finding a moment to engage them. It suggests that the person is elusive or difficult to pin down.

Using 捕まえる (tsukamaeru) correctly requires an understanding of its grammar as an Ichidan verb (Group 2). This means the stem is simply 捕まえ (tsukamae), and you attach various suffixes to it. Because it is a transitive verb, the structure is almost always [Subject] は [Object] を捕まえる. Let's look at the different forms and how they change the meaning of the sentence.

Polite Present Tense: Used in daily conversation with people you aren't close to. Form: 捕まえます (tsukamaemasu). Example: "I will catch the thief" (泥棒を捕まえます).

私は網を使って、池の魚を捕まえます。
(I will catch the fish in the pond using a net.)

Past Tense (Informal/Formal): To describe a completed action. Forms: 捕まえた (tsukamaeta) or 捕まえました (tsukamaemashita). This is very common when reporting that a criminal has been caught or a goal achieved.

警察はついに、逃走中の犯人を捕まえました。
(The police finally caught the criminal who was on the run.)

Potential Form (Can Catch): To express ability. Form: 捕まえらえる (tsukamaerareru). Note that in casual speech, the 'ra' is often dropped (捕まえれる). Use this when discussing if a taxi is easy to find or if a bug is too fast to catch.

The "Te-form" (捕まえて) is also vital for making requests or connecting actions. If you want someone to catch something for you, you say "捕まえてください" (tsukamaete kudasai). If you catch something and then do something else, you use the te-form as a linker. Furthermore, the causative-passive form (捕まえさせられる - was made to catch) and the humble/honorific forms are used in very specific social hierarchies, though they are less common for this specific verb than the standard forms. Mastery of the transitive relationship is the key: you are the agent of change, and the object is the thing being secured.

逃げ出したハムスターを捕まえて、カゴに戻しました。
(I caught the hamster that escaped and put it back in the cage.)

この辺りは夜になると、タクシーを捕まえるのが難しくなります。
(In this area, when it gets late, it becomes difficult to catch a taxi.)

You will encounter 捕まえる (tsukamaeru) in a wide variety of real-world situations, ranging from the mundane to the high-stakes. In Japanese media, such as anime, manga, and TV dramas, this word is a staple of the "police procedural" and "action" genres. Detectives frequently shout "Wait! I'll catch you!" (待て！捕まえるぞ！). In news broadcasts, you will hear it in the formal past tense (捕まえました) or passive form (捕まえられました) when reporting on the resolution of a crime or the capture of a fugitive.

News and Media: Journalists use this word to describe the apprehension of suspects. It provides a sense of closure to a story. You might see headlines like 「重要指名手配犯を捕まえる」(Catching a high-priority wanted criminal).

テレビのニュースで、昨日逃げたライオンを捕まえる映像が流れました。
(On the TV news, footage of catching the lion that escaped yesterday was shown.)

Daily Life and Errands: In the city, especially in places like Tokyo or Osaka, you'll hear people talking about "catching a taxi" (タクシーを捕まえる). In an office setting, colleagues might say they need to "catch" someone before they leave for the day to get a document signed.

Children use this word constantly during play. Games like "Tag" (鬼ごっこ - onigokko) revolve around the act of catching others. A child might yell, "捕まえた！" (Caught you!) when they tag their friend. Similarly, during the summer, many Japanese children engage in "insect collecting" (虫取り - mushitori), where the goal is to 捕まえる beetles and cicadas. This cultural practice makes the word one of the first verbs children master. Even in sports, catching a fly ball in baseball (a very popular sport in Japan) is described using this verb, though specialized sports terms also exist.

子供たちが公園で走り回りながら、お互いを捕まえようとしています。
(The children are running around the park trying to catch each other.)

Literature and Metaphor: Authors use 捕まえる to describe capturing a feeling, a scent, or a fleeting moment. It adds a sense of tangibility to abstract concepts, suggesting that the protagonist is trying to hold onto something ephemeral.

彼はその瞬間の感動を、カメラで捕まえようとしました。
(He tried to catch the emotion of that moment with his camera.)

One of the most frequent hurdles for English speakers learning 捕まえる (tsukamaeru) is the confusion between the transitive and intransitive forms. Japanese has many such pairs, and this one is a classic. 捕まえる is transitive (something you do to an object), while 捕まる (tsukamaru) is intransitive (something that happens to the subject). If you say 「私が捕まえた」(Watashi ga tsukamaeta), it means "I caught (something)." If you say 「私が捕まった」(Watashi ga tsukamatta), it means "I was caught" or "I got caught." Mixing these up can lead to very confusing situations, especially if you're talking to the police!

The Particle Error: Because 捕まえる is transitive, it MUST take the object particle を (o). Beginners often mistakenly use に (ni) or が (ga) because of how they think about the action in English. Remember: [Object] を捕まえる.

Incorrect: 泥棒に捕まえた (Dorobou ni tsukamaeta)
Correct: 泥棒を捕まえた (Dorobou o tsukamaeta)

Confusion with 掴む (tsukamu): Another common mistake is using 捕まえる when you should use 掴む (tsukamu). While both mean "to catch" or "to grab," 掴む is used for grabbing something stationary or gripping something firmly (like a handrail or a handle). 捕まえる is specifically for things that are moving or trying to get away.

Another nuance mistake involves "catching" a cold. In English, we say "I caught a cold," but in Japanese, you do NOT use 捕まえる for illnesses. Instead, you use 風邪を引く (kaze o hiku). Similarly, if you "catch" a ball in a sports context where you are just receiving it, 捕る (toru) might be more appropriate, though 捕まえる is acceptable if the ball was difficult to stop. Overusing 捕まえる for every instance of the English word "catch" is a hallmark of a learner who hasn't yet grasped the specific "capture" nuance of the Japanese term.

Incorrect: 風邪を捕まえた (Kaze o tsukamaeta)
Correct: 風邪を引いた (Kaze o hiita)

Overly Aggressive Nuance: Be careful when using 捕まえる with people. If you say you want to "catch" a friend to talk, it's fine, but if used without context, it can sound like you are physically hunting them down. In professional settings, stick to softer expressions unless you are literally chasing someone.

To truly master Japanese, you need to know when to use 捕まえる (tsukamaeru) and when to reach for a synonym with a slightly different flavor. The Japanese language is rich with verbs that describe the act of taking hold of something, each with its own specific context and intensity. Let's compare 捕まえる with its closest relatives.

捕まえる (Tsukamaeru) vs. 捕る (Toru): Both mean "to catch," but 捕る (toru) is often used specifically for harvesting or catching animals for food or sport (like fishing or hunting). 捕まえる has a stronger sense of "arresting" or "capturing something that is fleeing." If you are catching fish to put in an aquarium, use 捕まえる; if you are catching them to eat, 捕る is more common.

川で大きな魚を捕りました。
(I caught a big fish in the river [implying for food/sport].)

捕まえる (Tsukamaeru) vs. 掴む (Tsukamu): 掴む (tsukamu) means to grab, seize, or grasp. It is used for things that are stationary or for the physical act of closing your hand around something. It is also used metaphorically for "grasping" a meaning or a heart. 捕まえる requires the object to be "on the loose" in some way.

捕まえる (Tsukamaeru) vs. 逮捕する (Taiho suru): 逮捕する is the formal, legal term for "to arrest." You will see this in newspapers and legal documents. 捕まえる is the conversational equivalent. A mother might tell her child "The police caught the bad guy" using 捕まえる, but a news anchor would say 「警察が容疑者を逮捕しました」(The police arrested the suspect).

Other alternatives include 抑える (osaeru), which means to hold something down or restrain it, and 捕縛する (hobaku suru), a very formal and somewhat archaic word for binding and capturing someone, often seen in historical dramas (jidaigeki). Understanding these distinctions helps you sound more like a native speaker and ensures you don't accidentally sound too formal or too childish in the wrong situation.

警官は犯人の腕を強く抑えました。
(The police officer firmly restrained the suspect's arm.)

How Formal Is It?

حقيقة ممتعة

The kanji 捕 combines the 'hand' radical (扌) with the phonetic component 甫. This emphasizes that the action is performed with the hands.

دليل النطق

UK /tsu.ka.ma.e.ɾu/

US /tsu.kɑ.mɑ.e.ɹu/

Japanese has pitch accent rather than stress. In 'tsukamaeru', the pitch typically rises on 'ka' and stays high until 'ru', where it may drop depending on the dialect (Heiban or Nakadaka).

يتقافى مع

Kamaeru (to set up/pose) Tonaeru (to recite) Kanaeru (to grant/fulfill) Osaeru (to restrain) Mukaeru (to welcome) Ataeru (to give) Tatoeru (to compare) Kotaeru (to answer)

أخطاء شائعة

Pronouncing 'tsu' as 'su'.
Elongating the 'e' sound too much.
Using a heavy English 'r' sound instead of the Japanese tap.
Confusing the pitch accent with the intransitive 'tsukamaru'.
Failing to pronounce the 'u' at the end clearly.

مستوى الصعوبة

القراءة 3/5

The kanji is common but the verb has many conjugations to learn.

الكتابة 3/5

The kanji 捕 is standard but requires practice to write correctly.

التحدث 2/5

The pronunciation is straightforward, but pitch accent matters.

الاستماع 3/5

Must distinguish between 'tsukamaeru' and 'tsukamaru' in fast speech.

ماذا تتعلّم بعد ذلك

المتطلبات الأساسية

手 (te - hand) 行く (iku - to go) 警察 (keisatsu - police) ボール (booru - ball) を (o - object particle)

تعلّم لاحقاً

捕まる (tsukamaru - to be caught) 掴む (tsukamu - to grab) 逮捕する (taiho suru - to arrest) 逃げる (nigeru - to escape) 探す (sagasu - to search)

متقدم

抑権 (yokken - power of restraint) 検挙 (kenkyo - arrest/prosecution) 拘束 (kousoku - restriction/detention) 捕縛 (hobaku - binding and arrest) 捕捉 (hosoku - capture/acquisition)

قواعد يجب معرفتها

Transitive vs. Intransitive Pairs

捕まえる (transitive) vs 捕まる (intransitive).

Potential Form of Ichidan Verbs

捕まえる → 捕まえらえる.

Volitional Form + とした

捕まえようとした (Tried to catch).

Te-form for sequential actions

タクシーを捕まえて、家へ帰った。

Noun modification with verbs

犯人を捕まえた警察官。

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

أمثلة حسب المستوى

ボールを捕まえます。

I will catch the ball.

Simple transitive sentence: Object + を + Verb.

猫を捕まえた！

I caught the cat!

Informal past tense of 捕まえる.

虫を捕まえましょう。

Let's catch bugs.

Volitional form 'mashou' used for suggestions.

お父さんが魚を捕まえました。

My father caught a fish.

Polite past tense 'mashita'.

蝶を捕まえてください。

Please catch the butterfly.

Request form using Te-form + kudasai.

誰が捕まえたの？

Who caught it?

Question form with 'no' particle at the end.

犬を捕まえたいです。

I want to catch the dog.

Desire form 'tai' attached to the verb stem.

それを捕まえないで。

Don't catch that.

Negative request: Nai-form + de.

タクシーを捕まえるのは大変です。

Catching a taxi is difficult.

Verb as a noun phrase using 'no wa'.

急いでタクシーを捕まえましょう。

Let's hurry and catch a taxi.

Adverbial use of 'isoide' (hurriedly).

駅の前でタクシーを捕まえました。

I caught a taxi in front of the station.

Locational particle 'de' used for the action site.

先生を捕まえて、質問しました。

I caught the teacher and asked a question.

Te-form used to link two sequential actions.

泥棒を捕まえるのを手伝ってください。

Please help me catch the thief.

Using 'no o tetsudau' to mean 'help with [action]'.

彼は逃げる猫を捕まえようとしました。

He tried to catch the fleeing cat.

Volitional form + to suru (try to do).

ここでタクシーが捕まえられますか？

Can I catch a taxi here?

Potential form 'rareru' indicating possibility.

大きな網で魚を捕まえよう。

Let's catch fish with a big net.

Instrumental particle 'de' (with/using).

警察がやっと犯人を捕まえたそうです。

I heard the police finally caught the criminal.

Reporting form 'sou desu' (I heard that).

捕まえるのが難しい獲物ですね。

That is a difficult prey to catch, isn't it?

Noun modification using the dictionary form.

彼は嘘をついているところを捕まえられた。

He was caught in the act of lying.

Passive form 'tsukamaerareru' (was caught).

タクシーがなかなか捕まえられなくて困った。

I was in trouble because I couldn't catch a taxi at all.

Negative potential te-form for cause/reason.

チャンスをしっかり捕まえることが大切です。

It is important to firmly catch (seize) the opportunity.

Metaphorical use of 'catch'.

逃げ出した動物を捕まえるのは危険です。

It is dangerous to catch an animal that has escaped.

Substantive use of the verb as a subject.

部長を捕まえて、サインをもらいました。

I caught the manager and got his signature.

Social 'catching' of a busy person.

どうやってその泥棒を捕まえたのですか？

How did you catch that thief?

Explanatory 'no desu' form.

彼は一瞬の隙を捕まえて、シュートを打った。

He caught a split-second opening and took a shot.

Abstract use: catching an 'opening' or 'gap'.

そのニュースは国民の関心を捕まえた。

That news caught (captured) the public's interest.

Metaphorical use for attention/interest.

犯人を捕まえるための作戦を立てる。

We will develop a strategy to catch the criminal.

'Tame no' indicating purpose.

捕まえるどころか、見つけることさえできなかった。

Far from catching him, we couldn't even find him.

'Dokoroka' expressing 'far from' or 'let alone'.

証拠を捕まえるまでは、彼を疑うことはできない。

Until we catch (secure) evidence, we cannot suspect him.

'Made wa' indicating a time limit or condition.

運良くタクシーを捕まえることができた。

I was lucky enough to be able to catch a taxi.

Adverbial 'un yoku' (luckily).

彼は誰にも捕まえられない速さで走った。

He ran at a speed where no one could catch him.

Potential passive form as a modifier.

野生の鳥を捕まえるのは法律で禁止されています。

Catching wild birds is prohibited by law.

Passive 'kinshi sarete iru' (is prohibited).

作者は時代の空気を鋭く捕まえている。

The author has sharply captured the atmosphere of the era.

High-level metaphorical use in criticism.

警察は、逃走経路を先回りして犯人を捕まえた。

The police got ahead of the escape route and caught the criminal.

Compound action description.

その理論は、本質をうまく捕らえている（捕まえている）。

That theory successfully captures (grasps) the essence.

Abstract grasping of concepts.

彼は巧みな話術で聴衆の心を捕まえた。

He captured the hearts of the audience with his skillful speaking.

Capturing 'hearts' or 'interest'.

捕まえようとすればするほど、幸せは逃げていく。

The more you try to catch it, the more happiness flees.

Conditional 'ba... hodo' (the more... the more).

監視カメラが、犯行の瞬間を正確に捕まえていた。

The surveillance camera accurately caught the moment of the crime.

Technological 'capturing' of an image.

彼女は彼の矛盾した発言を鋭く捕まえた。

She sharply caught (pointed out) his contradictory remarks.

Catching a mistake or contradiction.

その映画は、現代社会の闇を捕まえている。

The movie captures the darkness of modern society.

Thematic 'capturing' of social issues.

言霊を捕まえるかのように、彼は言葉を選んだ。

He chose his words as if trying to catch the spirit of the language.

Highly literary and philosophical use.

無意識のうちに相手の弱点を捕まえてしまう。

To unconsciously catch (identify) the opponent's weakness.

Psychological/tactical capture.

彼は、変転する世相を冷徹に捕まえる視点を持っている。

He possesses a viewpoint that coolly captures the changing social conditions.

Sophisticated social analysis.

その旋律は、言葉にできない哀愁を捕まえて離さない。

That melody captures an indescribable sorrow and won't let go.

Emotional capture in arts.

権力者が民衆の不満をどう捕まえるかが鍵となる。

How the powerful grasp (handle/address) the people's discontent is key.

Political science context.

科学者は、目に見えない素粒子の動きを捕まえようと腐心している。

Scientists are struggling to catch (detect) the movement of invisible subatomic particles.

Scientific detection as 'capturing'.

彼は歴史の奔流を一つの物語の中に捕まえることに成功した。

He succeeded in capturing the torrent of history within a single story.

Narrative capture of vast concepts.

夢を捕まえる網など、この世には存在しない。

A net to catch dreams does not exist in this world.

Poetic/philosophical negation.

تلازمات شائعة

泥棒を捕まえる

タクシーを捕まえる

虫を捕まえる

ボールを捕まえる

隙を捕まえる

チャンスを捕まえる

人を捕まえて話す

魚を捕まえる

犯人を捕まえる

特徴を捕まえる

العبارات الشائعة

捕まえた！

— Caught you! Used in games like tag or when successfully grabbing something.

鬼ごっこで「捕まえた！」と叫ぶ。

タクシーが捕まらない

— Cannot catch a taxi. Used when there are no available taxis.

深夜なのでタクシーが捕まらない。

尻尾を捕まえる

— To catch someone's tail (to find proof of someone's wrongdoing).

彼の不正の尻尾を捕まえた。

揚げ足を捕まえる

— To trip someone up or find fault in their small mistakes (nitpick).

人の揚げ足を捕まえるのは良くない。

心を捕まえる

— To capture someone's heart or interest deeply.

彼女の歌声は聴衆の心を捕まえた。

弱みを捕まえる

— To find or exploit someone's weakness.

相手の弱みを捕まえて交渉する。

タイミングを捕まえる

— To catch the right timing or moment.

投資のタイミングを捕まえるのは難しい。

犯人を捕まえろ！

— Catch the criminal! A common command in action scenes.

「泥棒だ！誰か捕まえろ！」

誰かを捕まえて聞く

— To stop someone to ask them something.

道がわからないので、誰かを捕まえて聞こう。

ニュアンスを捕まえる

— To catch or understand a subtle nuance.

外国語の微妙なニュアンスを捕まえる。

يُخلط عادةً مع

捕まえる vs 捕まる (tsukamaru)

Intransitive: to be caught. Used when the subject is the one being captured.

捕まえる vs 掴む (tsukamu)

To grab or seize. Used for stationary objects or firm gripping.

捕まえる vs 捕る (toru)

To catch animals/fish. Often implies hunting or harvesting for food.

تعبيرات اصطلاحية

"揚げ足を捕る"

— While 'toru' is more common, 'tsukamaeru' is sometimes used to mean nitpicking someone's words to make them look bad.

彼はいつも人の揚げ足を捕まえる。

Informal

"尻尾を捕まえる"

— To find evidence of a secret or a crime.

浮気の尻尾を捕まえた。

Neutral

"心を鷲掴みにする"

— Though it uses 'washizukami' (eagle-grab), it is the extreme version of 'capturing' someone's heart.

その映画は観客の心を鷲掴みにした。

Literary

"雲を捕まえるような話"

— A story like trying to catch a cloud (unrealistic or vague).

彼の計画は雲を捕まえるような話だ。

Neutral

"足元を捕まえる"

— To take advantage of someone's weakness or precarious situation.

ライバル会社の足元を捕まえる。

Neutral

"風を捕まえる"

— To catch the wind (to take advantage of a trend or momentum).

新製品が時代の風を捕まえた。

Literary

"星を捕まえる"

— To reach for the impossible (similar to 'reach for the stars').

彼は星を捕まえるような夢を追っている。

Poetic

"影を捕まえる"

— To chase something elusive or non-existent.

真実を追っているつもりが、影を捕まえていただけだった。

Literary

"喉元を捕まえる"

— To grab someone by the throat (to put someone in a dire situation).

経済制裁が国の喉元を捕まえた。

Formal

"一瞬を捕まえる"

— To capture a fleeting moment (often in photography).

この写真は奇跡の一瞬を捕まえている。

Neutral

سهل الخلط

捕まえる vs 掴む (tsukamu)

Both involve the hand taking something.

Tsukamaeru is for moving/fleeing things. Tsukamu is for stationary objects or the physical act of gripping.

泥棒を捕まえる (Catch a thief) vs. 腕を掴む (Grab an arm).

捕まえる vs 捕る (toru)

They both mean 'catch' and share a kanji root.

Toru is often for sport or food (fishing/hunting). Tsukamaeru is for stopping something from running away.

魚を捕る (Catch fish for dinner) vs. 逃げた金魚を捕まえる (Catch an escaped goldfish).

捕まえる vs 握る (nigiru)

Both involve holding something with the hand.

Nigiru means to clasp or squeeze (like making sushi or holding a handle). It doesn't imply catching a moving object.

おにぎりを握る (Make a rice ball).

捕まえる vs 拾う (hirou)

Beginners might confuse picking something up with catching.

Hirou is for things on the ground. Tsukamaeru is for things in motion.

ゴミを拾う (Pick up trash).

捕まえる vs 受ける (ukeru)

In sports, 'catch' can mean 'receive'.

Ukeru is to receive or take. Tsukamaeru is to actively seize.

パスを受ける (Receive a pass).

أنماط الجُمل

[Object] を捕まえます。

ボールを捕まえます。

[Object] を捕まえてください。

タクシーを捕まえてください。

[Object] を捕まえることができます。

犯人を捕まえることができます。

[Object] を捕まえようとしました。

蝶を捕まえようとしました。

[Object] が捕まえられない。

タクシーが捕まえられない。

[Object] を捕まえた人。

泥棒を捕まえた人。

[Abstract] を捕まえている。

時代の空気を捕まえている。

[Object] を捕まえざるを得ない。

犯人を捕まえざるを得ない。

عائلة الكلمة

الأسماء

捕まえ (tsukamae - the act of catching)

捕獲 (hokaku - capture)

逮捕 (taiho - arrest)

الأفعال

捕まる (tsukamaru - to be caught [intransitive])

捕らえる (toraeru - to capture [formal])

捕り立てる (toritateru - to collect/extort)

مرتبط

警察 (keisatsu - police)

犯人 (hannin - criminal)

網 (ami - net)

罠 (wana - trap)

獲物 (emono - prey)

سجّل مجاناً لرؤية جميع الأمثلة

كيفية الاستخدام

frequency

Very common in daily life, news, and fiction.

أخطاء شائعة

Using に instead of を for the object. → 犯人を捕まえる。
捕まえる is transitive and requires the object particle を to indicate what is being caught.
Confusing 捕まえる with 捕まる. → 泥棒が捕まった (The thief was caught).
If the thief is the subject, use the intransitive 捕まる. If the police are the subject, use 捕まえる.
Using it for catching a cold. → 風邪を引いた。
捕まえる implies physical capture or arrest, which does not apply to viruses in Japanese.
Using it for picking up stationary items. → ペンを拾う。
Use 拾う (hirou) for picking things up from the ground. 捕まえる is for moving things.
Using it for 'catching' a bus. → バスに乗る。
Except for taxis, vehicles are usually 'ridden' or 'timed' rather than 'caught' in Japanese.

نصائح

Master the Transitive Pair

Always remember 捕まえる (transitive) and 捕まる (intransitive) together. One is an action you do, the other is a state that happens to you.

Taxi Trick

In a big city, 'タクシーを捕まえる' is a survival phrase. Use it when you need to hail a cab.

Summer Memories

If you talk to Japanese people about catching bugs (虫を捕まえる), they will likely share stories of their childhood summers.

Kanji Practice

The kanji 捕 (catch) is also used in 逮捕 (arrest). Learning it helps you read news reports.

Game Time

When playing tag, shout '捕まえた！' (Tsukamaeta!) when you touch someone. It’s the most natural way to use the past tense.

Don't Catch Colds

Never use this verb for illnesses. It's a common mistake that sounds very funny to native speakers.

Catching People

In an office, use '捕まえる' to describe finding a busy person, but be polite when actually addressing them.

News Watch

Listen for '逮捕' (taiho) in news; it's the formal cousin of '捕まえる'.

Manga Clues

In action manga, look for the command form '捕まえろ！' (Tsukamaero!) to spot the hero chasing a villain.

Abstract Catching

Try using it for 'catching a chance' (チャンスを捕まえる) to sound more advanced in your Japanese.

احفظها

وسيلة تذكّر

Think of catching a 'Two-Car-Man' (Tsu-Ka-Ma) who is trying to drive away. You have to 'eru' (end) his escape by catching him.

ربط بصري

Visualize a giant net descending from the sky to catch a tiny, fast-moving taxi on a Tokyo street.

Word Web

Catch Arrest Taxi Bug Ball Thief Hand Net

تحدٍّ

Try to use 'tsukamaeru' three times today: once for a physical object, once for a person, and once for a vehicle.

أصل الكلمة

The word is composed of the kanji 捕 (ho/tsuka-meru), which means to catch or arrest. It has been used in Japanese for centuries to describe the physical act of seizing someone or something.

المعنى الأصلي: To physically seize or take hold of something that is attempting to move away.

Japonic

السياق الثقافي

Be careful when using this word in a romantic context; 'catching' someone's heart is poetic, but 'catching' a person can sound like stalking if used incorrectly.

English speakers often use 'catch' for illnesses (catch a cold), but Japanese speakers never use 'tsukamaeru' for this.

The phrase 'Getchu!' (from English 'Get you') used in Pokémon is often localized or understood through the lens of 'tsukamaeru'. Famous detective characters like Sherlock Holmes or Detective Conan are frequently associated with the goal of 'tsukamaeru' the culprit. The movie title 'Catch Me If You Can' is translated in Japanese using the volitional form: 'Tsukamaerareru mon nara tsukamaete miro'.

تدرّب في الحياة الواقعية

سياقات واقعية

Playing in a park

虫を捕まえる
ボールを捕まえる
捕まえた！
捕まえてみて！

Hailing a taxi

タクシーを捕まえる
タクシーが捕まらない
どこで捕まえられますか？
タクシーを捕まえてください

Reporting a crime

犯人を捕まえる
泥棒を捕まえた
警察が捕まえました
早く捕まえてほしい

Office environment

部長を捕まえる
彼を捕まえて話す
会議の前に捕まえる
捕まえるのが大変だ

Sports

フライを捕まえる
ボールを捕まえ損ねる
しっかり捕まえろ
ナイスキャッチ（捕まえた）

بدايات محادثة

"子供の頃、よく虫を捕まえましたか？ (Did you often catch bugs when you were a child?)"

"昨日、駅でタクシーを捕まえるのに苦労しました。 (I had a hard time catching a taxi at the station yesterday.)"

"その映画の犯人は、最後に捕まりましたか？ (Was the criminal in that movie caught in the end?)"

"忙しい上司を捕まえる一番いい方法は何ですか？ (What is the best way to catch a busy boss?)"

"もし泥棒を見つけたら、自分で捕まえようとしますか？ (If you found a thief, would you try to catch them yourself?)"

مواضيع للكتابة اليومية

今日、何かを「捕まえた」瞬間はありましたか？（タクシー、チャンス、アイディアなど） (Was there a moment today when you 'caught' something? e.g., a taxi, a chance, an idea.)

子供の頃に公園で何を捕まえて遊んでいたか書いてください。 (Write about what you used to catch and play with in the park as a child.)

「犯人を捕まえる」というテーマで短い物語を書いてください。 (Write a short story with the theme 'Catching a criminal'.)

タクシーが捕まらなくて困った経験について書いてください。 (Write about an experience where you were in trouble because you couldn't catch a taxi.)

人生で一番大きな「チャンス」を捕まえた時のことを教えてください。 (Tell me about the time you caught the biggest 'chance' in your life.)

الأسئلة الشائعة

10 أسئلة

No, you cannot. In Japanese, 'catching a cold' is 風邪を引く (kaze o hiku). Using 捕まえる would sound like you physically hunted down a virus.

捕らえる (toraeru) is more formal and literary. You'll see it in books or formal news. 捕まえる is the standard word used in daily conversation.

You use the intransitive version: 捕まった (tsukamatta). For example, 警察に捕まった (I got caught by the police).

Generally, no. For buses and trains, you use 乗る (noru - to ride) or 間に合う (maniau - to be in time for). 捕まえる is specifically common for taxis.

Yes, for catching a ball, especially a difficult one. However, specific terms like 捕球する (hokyuu suru) or キャッチする are also used.

Grammatically, yes (捕まえらえる). However, in casual speech, many Japanese people drop it (捕まえれる), which is called 'ra-nuki kotoba'.

Yes, metaphorically. You can 'catch' the meaning or essence of something, though 掴む (tsukamu) is more common for 'grasping' a concept.

Use the object particle を (o) for the thing or person you are catching. If you are describing who caught them, use が (ga) for the subject.

Since it is an Ichidan verb, you remove 'ru' and add 'you': 捕まえよう (tsukamaeyou).

Yes, you can use expressions like 目を捕まえる (to catch the eye), although 目を引く (me o hiku - to pull the eye) is more common for 'being eye-catching'.

سجّل مجاناً للنصائح والملاحظات