捕つかまえる

ichidan verb, transitive verb

catch; capture; arrest

Used for physically catching a person or animal, especially by authorities or in pursuit. Also used for seizing or restraining someone.

• 警けい察さつは犯はん人にんを捕つかまえた。

  The police caught the criminal.

• 猫ねこを捕つかまえようとしたが、逃にげられた。

  I tried to catch the cat, but it got away.

ichidan verb, transitive verb

grab; hold onto; clutch

Focuses on physically grasping or holding something firmly, often with the hand. Can be used for objects or people.

• 彼かれは私わたしの腕うでを捕つかまえて離はなさなかった。

  He grabbed my arm and wouldn't let go.

• 落おちそうになったコップを捕つかまえた。

  I caught the cup just as it was about to fall.

ichidan verb, transitive verb

stop (someone); hail (a taxi); detain

Used for stopping a person to talk, hailing a taxi or waiter, or holding someone back momentarily. Often implies a brief, intentional interruption.

• 駅えき前まえでタクシーを捕つかまえた。

  I hailed a taxi in front of the station.

• 廊ろう下かで先せん生せいを捕つかまえて質しつ問もんした。

  I stopped the teacher in the hallway and asked a question.

ichidan verb, transitive verb

towards (someone); at (someone); in (someone's) face

Used in the pattern 〜をつかまえて to mean directing an action or words at someone, often with a confrontational or emphatic nuance. Limited to this fixed expression.

• 彼かれは私わたしをつかまえて文もん句くを言いった。

  He grabbed me and started complaining.

• あの人ひとをつかまえて、そんなことを言いうなんて。

  Saying something like that right to that person's face.