捉える

• Reading: とらえる
• Romaji: toraeru
• Kanji breakdown: 捉 (torae/soku) — to catch, grasp, capture
• Pronunciation: /to.ɾa.e.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To catch; to capture; to seize; to grasp. Also used figuratively for understanding or interpreting something.

A Group 2 (ichidan) transitive verb. Has both physical (catch/capture) and abstract (perceive/interpret) meanings. The abstract use is very common at N2 level: 物事を捉える (to perceive things), チャンスを捉える (to seize an opportunity).

Examples

1. 警察は逃走中の犯人を捉えた。 The police caught the fleeing suspect.
2. 物事をポジティブに捉えるようにしている。 I try to interpret things in a positive light.
3. カメラマンが決定的瞬間を捉えた写真が話題になった。 A photograph by a photographer capturing a decisive moment became a talking point.

Usage Guide

Context: news, psychology, photography

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From classical Japanese 捉ふ. The kanji 捉 combines 扌(hand) with 足 (foot), suggesting grasping firmly with one's hand.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal