捕まえる・掴まえる・捉まえる|つかまえるtsukamaeru[0]heiban (flat)

1. ichidan verb, transitive verbto catch; to capture; to arrest; to seize; to restrain
   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.
2. ichidan verb, transitive verbto grab; to clutch; to grasp; to seize; to hold on to
   その男おとこは少年しょうねんの手てをつかまえた。↗

   The man took the boy by the hand.
3. ichidan verb, transitive verbto catch hold of (someone); to stop (e.g. a stranger in the street); to hail (a taxi, waiter, etc.); to hold (someone) back; to detain
   ここでタクシーをつかまえられますか。↗

   Can I catch a taxi here?
4. ichidan verb, transitive verbtowards (someone); at (someone); in (someone's) faceas 〜をつかまえて

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

• Synonym捉えるとらえるWrittenWritten style; for catching someone or something, or grasping a point, as in 「特徴を捉える」; more common than 「捕まえる」 in abstract uses.
• Synonym捕獲ほかくWrittenWritten style; capturing animals or enemy ships, as in 「害獣の捕獲」; the object is usually an animal.
• Synonym捕るとるNeutralFor catching animals or a ball, as in 「魚を捕る」「ボールを捕る」; the focus is on the catch itself, as in hunting or fielding.
• SynonymつかむNeutralFor grabbing with the hand, as in 「腕を掴む」; the focus is on gripping rather than catching or apprehending.
• Synonym検挙けんきょFormalFormal term; investigative authorities uncovering and exposing suspects, not necessarily an actual arrest, as in 「検挙率」.
• Synonym取り押さえるとりおさえるNeutralFor pinning someone down and subduing them on the spot, as in 「犯人を取り押さえる」; the focus is on holding them so they cannot move.
• Synonymひっ捕らえるひっとらえるCasualColloquial; to grab and arrest someone, as in 「泥棒をひっ捕らえる」; carries a rough, emphatic tone.
• Synonymとっ捕まえるとっつかまえるCasualColloquial; to nab someone in one go, as in 「犯人をとっ捕まえる」; cruder and more casual than 「捕まえる」.
• Synonym召し捕るめしとるFormalAn old-style officials' word for arresting a criminal, as in 「御用だ、召し捕る」; mostly heard in period dramas.
• Synonym捕縛ほばくWrittenWritten style; seizing someone and tying them up, as in 「捕縛される」; carries a historical flavor.
• Synonym捕捉ほそくWrittenWritten style; locking onto a target or grasping something, as in 「レーダーが捕捉する」; mostly technical use.
• Synonymふん捕まえるふんづかまえるCasualColloquial; to grab hold of someone and not let go, with a rough tone; close in feel to 「とっ捕まえる」.
• Related握り締めるにぎりしめるNeutralTo grip tightly, as in 「手を握り締める」; the focus is on squeezing hard, not on catching.
• Related漁獲ぎょかくWrittenWritten style; fishing or the size of the catch, as in 「漁獲高」; the object is marine products.
• Related握るにぎるNeutralTo hold in the hand or have in one's control, as in 「権力を握る」; the focus is on control rather than catching.
• Related採捕さいほWrittenWritten style; collecting and catching plants and animals; mostly seen in fishery regulations.
• Related絡め取るからめとるWrittenWritten style; to entangle with a rope and tie up, or figuratively to snare someone in a trap.
• Related組み付くくみつくNeutralTo latch onto an opponent and grapple, as in 「相手に組み付く」; mostly used of fighting.
• Antonym放すはなすNeutralThe opposite of 「捕まえる」: to release or let go, as in 「鳥を放す」.
• Antonym逃すのがすNeutralThe opposite of 「捕まえる」: to let something get away or miss it, as in 「チャンスを逃す」.

Default to 「捕まえる」 for catching people, animals, or things. Use 「取り押さえる」 for pinning someone down on the spot, 「検挙」 for police uncovering suspects, and 「捕獲」 or 「捕る」 for capturing animals. For grabbing with the hands, 「掴む」 fits. 「ひっ捕らえる」「とっ捕まえる」「ふん捕まえる」 are rough colloquial variants, 「召し捕る」 is old-fashioned, and 「捉える」 plus nouns like 「捕縛」「捕捉」「漁獲」 are written style. The antonyms 「放す」 and 「逃す」 mean letting go or letting slip away.

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

1. 逃にげないように取り押とりおさえる。ひっとらえる。逮捕たいほする。捕獲ほかくする。
2. 手てでしっかりと握にぎる。つかむ。（瞬間しゅんかんなどを）捉とらえる。しっかり把握はあくする。
3. 恋人こいびとや結婚相手けっこんあいてにする。
4. 確保かくほする。（人ひとの予定よていなどを）押おさえておく。
5. 呼び止よびとめる。
6. 取り立とりたてて問題もんだいにする。
7. （「～をつかまえて」の形かたちで）～に対たいして。～を相手あいてに。