Translation guide
The English word 'intercept' covers several distinct actions: stopping something in transit, catching a pass in sports, cutting off a route, and eavesdropping on communications. Japanese uses different verbs and expressions for each.
We intercepted the enemy's attack.
Literally 'catch on the way'; used for physically stopping a person or vehicle mid-route.
They intercepted the fugitive en route.
To snatch or intercept something meant for someone else, like a package or opportunity.
He intercepted a package addressed to me.
Military term for intercepting and attacking enemy aircraft, missiles, etc.
They intercepted the missile.
In sports like football or basketball, to catch a pass intended for an opponent.
Loanword from English, widely used in sports contexts.
He intercepted the pass.
Common in basketball and soccer; literally 'pass cut'.
I intercepted the opponent's pass.
General verb for 'take away' or 'steal', used for intercepting a ball.
To position oneself or something so as to block someone's path or prevent passage.
To secretly listen to or capture a communication not intended for you.
傍受する is a neutral term for intercepting signals, often used in military or radio contexts. 盗聴する implies illegal or covert eavesdropping, like wiretapping.
Intercepting amateur radio is a hobby.
Wiretapping is a crime.
インターセプト is almost exclusively used in sports. Using it for military or communication interception sounds unnatural.
ボールを奪った。
He intercepted the ball.
To stand in the way and block someone, often with a nuance of confrontation.
A guard intercepted me by standing in my way.
The police were intercepting his phone calls.