Translation guide
How to express the action of holding something tightly, fastening something, or the fastener itself in Japanese.
To grip or hold something firmly with your hand or fingers.
The most common verb for gripping something in your hand. Can be used for objects, hands, or abstract things like secrets.
彼女はハンドルをしっかり握った。
She clasped the steering wheel tightly.
子供は母親の手を握っていた。
The child was clasping his mother's hand.
To grab or seize something, often with a sense of catching or taking hold. Slightly more forceful than 握る.
彼は私の腕を掴んだ。
He clasped my arm.
To embrace or hug tightly. Used when clasping someone to your chest.
彼女は子供を抱きしめた。
She clasped the child to her chest.
To close or secure something using a buckle, clip, or similar fastener.
General verb for fastening or securing something. Can be used for buttons, belts, clasps, etc.
彼女はネックレスを留めた。
She clasped the necklace.
バッグの留め金を留めてください。
Please clasp the bag's fastener.
To tighten or fasten something like a belt or strap. Often used for buckling.
A device for holding things together, such as a buckle, clip, or hook.
A metal clasp or fastener, often on bags, jewelry, or clothing.
このバッグの留め金は壊れている。
The clasp on this bag is broken.
Loanword from English, used for specific types of clasps, especially in jewelry or accessories.
Specifically a buckle, like on a belt or bag strap.
To hold your own hands together, often in a gesture of prayer, pleading, or nervousness.
To clasp your hands together, fingers interlocked. Common gesture.
彼は緊張して手を組んだ。
He clasped his hands nervously.
To put your palms together, often in prayer or greeting. Not interlocking fingers.
握る (nigiru) implies a steady, firm grip, like holding a steering wheel or a hand. 掴む (tsukamu) is more about grabbing or seizing, often with a sudden motion. For 'clasp' in the sense of holding tightly, 握る is usually more appropriate.
When referring to the action of fastening a clasp, use 留める (tomeru) or 締める (shimeru) depending on the object. Avoid direct translations like クラスプする, which is not natural Japanese.
I clasped the belt.
This necklace has a magnetic clasp.
ベルトのバックルが外れた。
The belt's clasp came undone.
She clasped her hands as if in prayer.