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.
To stop, catch, or seize a person, vehicle, message, or object while it is on its way from one place to another.
General term for preventing something from proceeding; often used for intercepting plans, attacks, or movements.
敵の攻撃を阻止した。
We intercepted the enemy's attack.
Literally 'catch on the way'; used for physically stopping a person or vehicle mid-route.
逃亡者を途中で捕まえた。
They intercepted the fugitive en route.
To snatch or intercept something meant for someone else, like a package or opportunity.
彼は私宛の小包を横取りした。
He intercepted a package addressed to me.
Military term for intercepting and attacking enemy aircraft, missiles, etc.
ミサイルを迎撃した。
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.
彼はパスをインターセプトした。
He intercepted the pass.
Common in basketball and soccer; literally 'pass cut'.
相手のパスをカットした。
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 block, obstruct, or cut off a path, view, or sound.
彼は私の行く手を遮った。
He intercepted my path.
To obstruct or interfere with a process or movement.
通信を妨害した。
They intercepted the communication.
To secretly listen to or capture a communication not intended for you.
Standard term for intercepting radio, telephone, or electronic communications.
敵の無線通信を傍受した。
We intercepted the enemy's radio communication.
Specifically for wiretapping or bugging a conversation.
警察は彼の電話を盗聴していた。
The police were intercepting his phone calls.
Casual loanword for picking up a signal or message.
そのメッセージをキャッチした。
I intercepted the message.
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.
アマチュア無線を傍受するのは趣味だ。
Intercepting amateur radio is a hobby.
盗聴は犯罪です。
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.
警備員が前に立ちはだかった。
A guard intercepted me by standing in my way.