捕捉

• Pinyin: bǔ zhuō
• Hanzi breakdown: 捕 = 扌(hand) + 甫 (to begin), meaning to catch; 捉 = 扌(hand) + 足 (foot), meaning to seize

Meaning

To catch; to capture; to seize. Both physically catching something and metaphorically grasping ideas or moments.

Used literally for catching animals or people, and figuratively for capturing images, moments, opportunities, or fleeting ideas. Common in photography, journalism, and creative contexts.

Examples

1. 摄影师成功捕捉到了那只稀有鸟类的珍贵画面。 The photographer successfully captured precious footage of that rare bird.
2. 作家善于捕捉生活中的细节，化为动人的文字。 The writer excels at capturing details from daily life and turning them into moving prose.
3. 警方经过数月追踪，终于捕捉到了这名逃犯。 After months of tracking, the police finally apprehended the fugitive.

Usage Guide

Context: photography, observation, enforcement

Tone: active

Do Say

• 他捕捉到了那个精彩的瞬间。(He captured that wonderful moment.)
• 我们要善于捕捉机会。(We should be good at seizing opportunities.)

Don't Say

• 我捕捉到了一辆出租车。(For getting a taxi, use 打到 or 拦到 — 捕捉 implies hunting or keen observation)

Origin & History

捕 (to catch, arrest) + 捉 (to seize, grab). Both characters involve the hand radical, emphasizing physical grasping.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal