逮

• Pinyin: dǎi
• Hanzi breakdown: 逮 = 辶 (movement radical) + 隶 (slave/catch, phonetic component)

Meaning

To catch; to capture; to seize. A colloquial verb meaning to grab or apprehend someone or something.

In colloquial speech, used for catching animals, people, or opportunities. Has a more informal, active feel compared to 抓. Note: In formal/legal contexts, pronounced dài and means to arrest (逮捕 dàibǔ).

Examples

1. 小时候我们常去河边逮蝌蚪玩。 When we were kids, we often went to the river to catch tadpoles for fun.
2. 警察费了好大劲才把逃犯逮住。 The police had a hard time catching the fugitive.
3. 他逮着机会就向领导表现自己。 He seizes any opportunity to show off in front of his boss.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, catching, opportunities

Tone: colloquial

Do Say

• 快逮住它！(Quick, catch it!)
• 逮着机会就上。(Seize any opportunity that comes.)

Don't Say

• 警察逮捕了嫌疑人 (Here 逮 is pronounced dài, not dǎi — 逮捕 is the formal legal term)

Origin & History

The character 逮 combines 辶 (movement) with 隶 (slave, catch). Originally meant to catch up with or reach.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal