How to say "grab" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 取るとるgodan verb, transitive verbIts core sense is 'take' or 'pick up'; 'grab' appears only as a secondary sense, for quickly taking something. For physically gripping something, つかむ or 捕まえる is usually the word you want.
- 奪い取るうばいとるgodan verb, transitive verbCovers the 'snatch' sense: grabbing something away from someone by force, as in plundering. Not the word for simply grabbing an object in order to hold it.その男は彼女のかばんを奪い取った。↗The man robbed her of her bag.
- 捉えるとらえるichidan verb, transitive verbCovers the seize-and-capture sense of grab: catching something that moves or flees, capturing it, or arresting a person, rather than simply gripping it in the hand.
- godan verb, transitive verbThe straightforward word for the physical sense of grab: seizing or gripping something with the hand and holding it, as when you grab a railing or someone's arm.だれかが私の腕をつかんだ。↗Somebody caught me by the arm.
- 捕まえるつかまえるichidan verb, transitive verbThink 'catch hold of': grabbing hold of a person, animal, or moving object so that it cannot get away.
Use 「取る」 for the general 'take' sense, 「つかむ」 for gripping something in the hand, 「捕まえる」 for catching hold of something moving, 「捉える」 for seizing or capturing, and 「奪い取る」 for snatching something away by force.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
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