Meaning
The kanji 捕 (ホ, とらえる, とる) primarily means to catch, to capture, to arrest, or to seize. It describes an action of taking hold of something, often with intention or force. This can apply to physical objects, animals, or people, and even to abstract concepts like opportunities or emotions. You'll frequently encounter 捕 in contexts related to law enforcement, hunting, sports, and also in more figurative expressions.
Its visual composition gives a strong hint to its meaning. The left-hand radical is 手 (てへん), which represents a hand. This component immediately suggests an action performed with the hands—grasping, holding, or seizing. The right-hand component, 甫 (ホ, フ), serves as a phonetic element, providing the 'ho' sound for the on'yomi reading. While 甫 can independently mean 'just, only, beginning,' in this kanji, its main role is phonetic. However, one might also imagine it contributing a nuance of an 'initial' or 'primary' action to the 'hand' radical, emphasizing the direct act of taking hold. Therefore, combining 'hand' with this phonetic element vividly depicts the act of catching or capturing.
The kanji 捕 has 10 strokes and is a Grade 6 kyōiku kanji, meaning it is taught in elementary school in Japan. Despite its relatively early introduction, its applications and compounds extend to higher JLPT levels due to its nuanced usage in various fields.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The main On'yomi reading for 捕 is ホ (ho). This reading originates from Chinese and is most commonly used when 捕 appears as part of a compound word, particularly in formal or technical terms related to apprehension, capture, or specific roles.
ホ (ho): Used in many compounds, especially those concerning official acts of capture, arrest, or in the names of specific roles.
逮捕 (taiho) — arrest, apprehension. This term is frequently used in legal and police contexts, referring to the official act of arresting a suspect.
捕獲 (hokaku) — capture, seizure. This often refers to capturing animals, fish, or enemy assets, implying a planned and often large-scale operation.
捕手 (hoshu) — catcher (in baseball). This specific role involves catching the ball.
捕鯨 (hogei) — whaling. The act of capturing whales.
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The Kun'yomi readings are native Japanese pronunciations. They are used when the kanji stands alone or is part of a verb conjugation, conveying the direct meaning of the kanji as a verb or an adjective.
と-らえる (toraeru): A transitive verb meaning to catch, to seize, to grasp, or to apprehend. This reading is often used for catching something moving or elusive, or for capturing abstract concepts like opportunities or emotions.
犯人を捕える (hannin wo toraeru) — to apprehend a criminal.
獲物を捕える (emono wo toraeru) — to catch prey.
心を捕える (kokoro wo toraeru) — to capture one's heart, to captivate.
と-る (toru): A more general transitive verb meaning to catch, to take, or to get. While とる can be written with many different kanji (e.g., 取る, 摂る), when written with 捕る, it specifically refers to catching or capturing, often in the context of hunting, fishing, or taking something forcefully.
魚を捕る (sakana wo toru) — to catch fish.
虫を捕る (mushi wo toru) — to catch insects.
獲物を捕る (emono wo toru) — to catch prey (similar to とらえる, but often implies successful acquisition).
と-らわれる (torawareru): An intransitive verb meaning to be caught, to be seized, to be imprisoned, or to be obsessed/bound by. This is the passive form of とらえる.
恐怖に捕われる (kyōfu ni torawareru) — to be gripped by fear.
過去に捕われる (kako ni torawareru) — to be bound by the past.
囚人が捕われる (shūjin ga torawareru) — a prisoner is captured/imprisoned.
Common Words & Compounds
To truly grasp 捕, it's essential to become familiar with its numerous common compounds. These terms span a wide range of scenarios, from daily life to specialized fields. Here are some key examples, categorized for easier learning:
Words related to Law & Order / Military
- 逮捕 (taiho) — arrest, apprehension. This is a very common legal term, as in 殺人容疑で逮捕される (satsujin yōgi de taiho sareru - to be arrested on suspicion of murder).
- 逮捕状 (taihojō) — arrest warrant.
- 捕虜 (horyo) — prisoner (of war). Refers to individuals captured during conflict, e.g., 捕虜となる (horyo to naru - to become a prisoner of war).
- 捕り物 (torimono) — (historical) arrest, apprehension, particularly by police.
Words related to Hunting & Fishing / Biology
- 捕獲 (hokaku) — capture, seizure. Often used for animals or resources, such as 魚を捕獲する (sakana wo hokaku suru - to capture fish).
- 捕鯨 (hogei) — whaling. The industry and act of catching whales.
- 捕食 (hoshoku) — predation. The act of preying on other animals, as in 弱肉強食の世界で捕食される (jakuniku kyōshoku no sekai de hoshoku sareru - to be preyed upon in a dog-eat-dog world).
- 捕食者 (hoshokusha) — predator.
Words related to Sports & Roles
- 捕手 (hoshu) — catcher (in baseball). This player is positioned behind home plate.
Words with abstract or figurative meanings
- 捕えどころのない (toraedokoro no nai) — elusive, intangible, hard to grasp. Describes something difficult to pinpoint or understand, e.g., 捕えどころのない話 (toraedokoro no nai hanashi - an elusive story).
- 捕われの身 (toraware no mi) — a captive, a prisoner (literally, 'a body that is captured'). Often used figuratively for being trapped by circumstances, like 運命の捕われの身 (unmei no toraware no mi - a prisoner of fate).
- 機会を捕える (kikai wo toraeru) — to seize an opportunity.
Example Sentences
警察は強盗犯を逮捕した。
Keisatsu wa gōtōhan wo taiho shita.
The police arrested the robber.
漁師たちは網でたくさんの魚を捕った。
Ryōshi-tachi wa ami de takusan no sakana wo totta.
The fishermen caught a lot of fish with their nets.
希少動物の捕獲は厳しく制限されている。
Kishō dōbutsu no hokaku wa kibishiku seigen sareteiru.
The capture of rare animals is strictly limited.
彼は悲観的な考えに捕われて、前に進めなかった。
Kare wa hikanteki na kangae ni torawarete, mae ni susumenakatta.
He was caught up in pessimistic thoughts and couldn't move forward.
敏捷な野鳥を捕えるのは至難の業だ。
Binshō na yachō wo toraeru no wa shinan no waza da.
Catching a nimble wild bird is an extremely difficult task.
野球の捕手は強いボールを受け止める能力が必要だ。
Yakyū no hoshu wa tsuyoi bōru wo uketomeru nōryoku ga hitsuyō da.
A baseball catcher needs the ability to firmly receive strong balls.
歴史上、多くの捕虜が過酷な運命をたどった。
Rekishijō, ooku no horyo ga kakoku na unmei wo tadotta.
Throughout history, many prisoners of war faced harsh fates.
その歌手の歌声は聴衆の心を捕えて離さなかった。
Sono kashu no utagoe wa chōshū no kokoro wo toraete hanasanakatta.
The singer's voice captivated the audience's hearts and wouldn't let go.
犯行現場から逃走中の容疑者が遂に捕えられた。
Hankō genba kara tōsōchū no yōgisha ga tsui ni toraerareta.
The suspect who was fleeing from the crime scene was finally apprehended.
警察は街で逃走した猿を捕るため、大掛かりな作戦を行った。
Keisatsu wa machi de tōsō shita saru wo toru tame, ōgake na sakusen wo okonatta.
The police launched a large-scale operation to catch the monkey that escaped in the city.
Memory Tip
To help remember the kanji 捕, consider its two main components. On the left, you'll find the radical 手 (てへん), which means 'hand' – your essential tool for catching! On the right is 甫 (ho), acting as a phonetic component that gives the 'ho' sound for the on'yomi. You can think of 'ho' sounding like 'hold' or even a part of 'hope' when you hope to catch something. Thus, a good mnemonic is: You use your hand (手) to hold (甫) onto something, thereby catching or capturing it. Visualize a strong hand reaching out to grab and secure an object, reinforcing the core meaning of capture and apprehension.