How to say "clutch" in Japanese

• クラッチCommon
  nounA noun for the mechanical clutch, as in a car or other machinery. It does not express the verb 'to clutch' in the sense of grabbing or holding something.
  クラッチペダルを数すう回かい踏ふむと、なんとかクラッチが切きれたので、騙し騙だましだまし運転うんてんしました。↗

  Repeatedly slamming the clutch pedal, I somehow managed to get the clutch disengaged so I could just about drive for the time being.
• つかむJLPT N3approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verbUse for 'clutch' meaning to grab or seize hold of something with the hand — a strap, a rope, someone's sleeve. The nuance is catching or taking hold, often quickly or firmly.
  だれかが私の腕うでをつかんだ。↗

  Somebody caught me by the arm.
• 握るにぎるJLPT N3approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verbFor 'clutch' in the sense of gripping or clasping: the hand closes firmly around what it holds. Think of gripping a steering wheel, or clutching something tightly in your fist.
  彼かれらが眠ねむっている間あいだ私がハンドルを握にぎった。↗

  I took the wheel while he slept.
• にぎりCommon
  nounA noun for a grip or the act of gripping; for 'clutch' it is marginal, since on its own it will more likely be taken as the name of a kind of sushi.
• 押さえるおさえるJLPT N2approx.Common
  ichidan verb, transitive verbUse it when 'clutch' means clutching a part of the body — pressing a hand to your stomach or head, typically in pain. Its core image is covering or pressing with the hand.

For the mechanical device use 「クラッチ」; for grabbing or seizing something, 「つかむ」; for gripping something tightly in the hand, 「握る」; for clutching a body part in pain, 「押さえる」; 「にぎり」 is only a marginal noun.

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

• クラッチclutch
• つかむto seize
• 握るにぎるto clasp
• にぎりgrasping
• 連動機れんどうきclutch (mechanism)
• むしゃぶりつくto grab at
• 押さえるおさえるto cover (esp. a part of one's body with one's hand)
• 捕まえるつかまえるto grab