捕まる · godan verb (-ru)
| Form | Positive | Negative |
|---|---|---|
| Dictionary | 捕まる | 捕まらない |
| Polite | 捕まります | 捕まりません |
| Past polite | 捕まりました | 捕まりませんでした |
| Past | 捕まった | 捕まらなかった |
| Te-form | 捕まって | 捕まらないで |
| Desire | 捕まりたい | 捕まりたくない |
| Potential | 捕まれる | 捕まれない |
| Passive | 捕まられる | 捕まられない |
| Causative | 捕まらせる | 捕まらせない |
| Causative passive | 捕まらせられるalso 捕まらされる | 捕まらせられないalso 捕まらされない |
| Volitional | 捕まろう | |
| Polite volitional | 捕まりましょう | |
| Imperative | 捕まれ | 捕まるな |
| Conditional | 捕まれば | 捕まらなければ |
| Tara conditional | 捕まったら | 捕まらなかったら |
godan verb (-ru), intransitive verb
be caught; be arrested; be captured
Intransitive; describes being physically caught, apprehended by authorities, or trapped. Often used with に for the agent or trap.
The criminal was quickly caught by the police.
A fish got caught in the net.
godan verb (-ru), intransitive verb
Intransitive; describes gripping something for support or stability. Usually takes に for the object held. Kana or 掴まる is preferred.
I held on to a strap on the train.
The child was clinging tightly to his mother's arm.
godan verb (-ru), intransitive verb
Colloquial; used when one manages to obtain something needed, like a taxi or evidence. Often implies some effort or luck. Usually written in kana.
I finally managed to get a taxi.
We can't prosecute unless we find evidence.
godan verb (-ru), intransitive verb
be detained; be held up
Describes being delayed or kept somewhere by a person or situation. Often used with に for the cause. Usually written in kana.
I was detained by a visitor and was late for the meeting.
The thief was caught by the police.
I was holding onto the strap on the train.
It was late at night and I had a hard time getting a taxi.
The culprit was caught at the scene.
捕まる means 'to be caught/captured', the opposite of 放れる's meaning of becoming free.
Preferred kanji for 'hold on to/grasp' sense, emphasizing physical grip.
Rarely used kanji form; may appear in older texts.