How to say "snatch" in Japanese

• 奪ううばうJLPT N3approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verbThe general verb for snatch: taking something away from someone by force, depriving them of it. It also extends to taking away and stealing more broadly, as when a thief snatches a bag.
  その男おとこが私の財布さいふを奪うばった。↗

  The man robbed me of my purse.
• 奪い取るうばいとるCommon
  godan verb, transitive verbAlso translates snatch in the forceful sense of grabbing something and taking it away, with extra emphasis on the physical act of seizing it — as in snatching a thing from someone's hands.
  その男おとこは彼女かのじょのかばんを奪い取うばいとった。↗

  The man robbed her of her bag.
• スナッチCommon
  nounOnly the weightlifting term: the lift in which the barbell is raised from the ground to overhead in one continuous motion. It is never the word for snatching something from someone.

For snatch in the sense of taking something from someone by force, use 「奪う」, or 「奪い取る」 for added emphasis on grabbing hold and taking the thing; 「スナッチ」 is only the weightlifting lift.

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

• 奪ううばうto take (by force)
• 奪い取るうばいとるto plunder
• スナッチsnatch (weightlifting)
• パクるto filch
• かすめるto steal
• 掠め取るかすめとるto snatch
• 引っ掴むひっつかむto snatch (at)
• ふんだくるto snatch
• かっさらうto snatch (and run)
• ひったくるto snatch (from someone)
• かどわかすto kidnap (esp. by force or deception)
• ひっさらうto kidnap
• さらうto carry off
• かっぱらうto swipe
• もぎ取るもぎとるto wrest (away from)
• 拾うひろうto get (unexpectedly)