How to say "catch" in Japanese

• 捉えるとらえるJLPT N2approx.Common
  ichidan verb, transitive verbCatching or capturing a target, physically or figuratively: seize a fleeing person or animal, or grasp an idea or chance; also to arrest. The catch need not involve hands.
  ついに反逆者はんぎゃくしゃは捕とらえられ、拘置所こうちしょに入いれられた。↗

  The rebel was ultimately captured and confined to jail.
• 捕まえるつかまえるJLPT N4approx.Common
  ichidan verb, transitive verbPhysically catching someone or something so it cannot get away — a runaway pet, a fleeing thief — and arresting a suspect; the catch means holding on so there is no escape.
  警察けいさつが容疑者ようぎしゃを捕つかまえた。↗

  The policeman got the suspect.
• 受け止めるうけとめるJLPT N1approx.Common
  ichidan verb, transitive verbCatching something that comes at you by receiving it — a thrown ball, a blow — the nuance is absorbing or stopping the impact rather than grabbing; not the word for seizing or arresting.
• つかむJLPT N3approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verbTo seize or grasp with the hand: grabbing an object, or catching a person or thing by taking hold of it. Usually written in kana; choose it when catching means gripping.
  だれかが私の腕うでをつかんだ。↗

  Somebody caught me by the arm.
• キャッチJLPT N1approx.Common
  noun, suru verbThe loanword: catching a ball in sports, receiving a radio transmission or phone call, or obtaining information; not the word for arresting or seizing a person.
  彼かれは左手ひだりてでボールをキャッチした。↗

  He caught the ball with his left hand.

Choose 「捉える」 for catching or capturing, physical or figurative; 「捕まえる」 for physically catching a person or animal, or arresting; 「受け止める」 for catching something coming at you; 「つかむ」 for grabbing hold; 「キャッチ」 for balls, signals, or information.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 捉えるとらえるto catch
• 捕まえるつかまえるto catch
• 受け止めるうけとめるto catch
• つかむto seize
• キャッチcatch
• 聞き取るききとるto catch (someone's words)
• 獲物えものprey
• 取るとるto take
• 見つけるみつけるto find
• 捕球ほきゅうcatch
• 捕るとるto catch (a wild animal, fish, insect, baseball, etc.)
• 漁獲ぎょかくfishery
• 留め金とめがねclasp
• 釣るつるto fish
• 釣果ちょうかcatch (fishing)
• 引っ掛かりひっかかりhold
• 聞きつけるききつけるto hear
• とっ捕まえるとっつかまえるto catch
• 漁獲高ぎょかくだかcatch (of fish)
• 収獲しゅうかくcatch (fishing)
• キャッチボールcatch
• 獲るとるto catch (a wild animal or fish)
• 留め具とめぐlatch
• 引き手ひきてknob
• 漁獲量ぎょかくりょうhaul (of fish)
• 釣り上げるつりあげるto land (a fish)
• ふん捕まえるふんづかまえるto grab hold of
• 取れ高とれだかcrop
• 耳にするみみにするto hear
• 漁獲物ぎょかくぶつ(fishing) catch
• うけるto catch (e.g. a ball)
• 感ずるかんずるto become infected with (an illness)
• はさむto catch (e.g. a finger in a door)
• 収穫しゅうかくcatch (fishing)
• うつるto spread (of a fire, smell, etc.)
• 漁りょうcatch (e.g. of fish)
• 水揚げみずあげcatch (of fish)
• 引っ掛けるひっかけるto hook
• 感じるかんじるto become infected with (an illness)
• 採るとるto pick (e.g. flowers)
• 押さえるおさえるto get a hold of
• かけるto catch (in a trap, etc.)
• 引くひくto catch (a cold)
• もらうto contract (a disease)
• 詰めるつめるto cut off (one's finger as an act of apology)
• 召すめすto catch (a cold)
• 飲むのむto suppress (one's anger, bitter feelings, etc.)
• 刺すさすto catch (with a limed pole)
• 召されるめされるto catch (a cold)