How to say "detain" in Japanese

• 引き止めるひきとめるJLPT N2approx.Common
  ichidan verb, transitive verbCovers detaining in the sense of stopping someone from leaving or going somewhere — holding them back, checking, or restraining them. Fits contexts like persuading a departing guest or colleague to stay a little longer.
  引き止ひきとめても無駄むだだ。↗

  It's no use holding me back.
• 留め置くとめおく
  godan verb, transitive verbCovers detaining in the sense of keeping or locking someone in place rather than letting them go. It is a less common word, so it is often not the first choice; consider it mainly for the 'keep in, retain' nuance.
  何なんびとも奴隷どれいの状態じょうたいに留め置とめおかれてはならない。↗

  No one shall be held in slavery.
• 身柄を拘束するみがらをこうそくする
  expression, suru verbCovers detaining in the legal sense of taking someone into custody, holding a person's physical custody. Typical of police, arrest, or detention contexts. It is less common phrasing but precise for this sense.

Use 「引き止める」 for holding someone back from leaving, 「留め置く」 for keeping or locking someone in place, and 「身柄を拘束する」 for taking a person into legal custody.

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

• 引き止めるひきとめるto detain
• 留め置くとめおくto detain
• 身柄を拘束するみがらをこうそくするto detain
• 捕まえるつかまえるto catch hold of (someone)
• 止めるとめるto detain