捕とらえる

と

ら

え

る

Common wordJLPTN2Freq.FrequencyTop 5,000

Meanings

1

ichidan verb, transitive verb

catch; capture; seize; arrest

Physical capture of a person, animal, or object. Often implies active pursuit or restraint. 捕らえる is the most natural kanji for this sense.

警けい察さつは犯はん人にんを捕とらえた。
The police caught the criminal.

猫ねこ

が

ネズミ

を

捕と

らえる

ところ

を

見み

た

。

I saw the cat catch a mouse.

2

ichidan verb, transitive verb

grasp; perceive; capture (abstract)

Abstract understanding or representation: grasping meaning, perceiving a situation, or capturing features in a description or image. 捉える is the most natural kanji for this sense.

彼かれは問もん題だいの本ほん質しつを正ただしく捉とらえている。
He correctly grasps the essence of the problem.
この写しゃ真しんは彼かの女じょの優やさしさをよく捉とらえている。
This photo captures her kindness well.

3

ichidan verb, transitive verb

captivate; move (one's heart)

To deeply impress or move someone emotionally. Often used in literary or formal contexts. 捉える can be used, but 捕らえる is also possible.

その演えん奏そうは聴ちょう衆しゅうの心こころを捕とらえた。
The performance captivated the audience's hearts.

Written forms

捕とらえるUsage9%
Preferred for physical capture, arrest, or seizing. High priority.
とらえるUsage54%
捉とらえるUsage31%
Common for abstract senses such as grasping meaning or capturing features. Also used for physical capture, but 捕らえる is more specific for that.
捕とらえるUsage6%
Variant of 捕らえる, less common but still used.

Kanji

捉catch, capture
捕catch, capture

Similar words

捕つかまえる
捕まえる is more colloquial and physical, often implying grabbing with hands. 捕らえる is more formal and can be used for abstract capture.
理り解かいする
理解する is a general verb for understanding. 捉える emphasizes grasping the essence or a specific aspect, often with a nuance of interpretation.

Etymology

Compound of 取る (toru, 'take') + あえる (aeru, 'meet')? The exact derivation is uncertain. The kanji 捕 and 捉 both convey 'capture' or 'grasp', with 捕 emphasizing physical seizure and 捉 emphasizing abstract grasping.