Translation guide
How to say 'be arrested' in Japanese, covering common verbs, passive forms, and related expressions.
To be taken into custody by police for a crime.
The standard, neutral way to say 'be arrested'. Uses the passive form of 逮捕する (to arrest).
彼は窃盗の容疑で逮捕された。
He was arrested on suspicion of theft.
犯人はすぐに逮捕されるだろう。
The culprit will be arrested soon.
To be formally detained or taken into custody, often in legal contexts.
Means 'to be detained' or 'taken into custody'. Broader than arrest; can include detention for questioning.
彼は警察に拘束されたが、まだ逮捕はされていない。
He was detained by the police but hasn't been arrested yet.
To be arrested in a very informal or slangy way.
Slang for 'to be arrested' or 'to be nabbed'. Derived from パクる (to steal or to nab).
あいつ、またパクられたらしいよ。
I heard that guy got arrested again.
Old-fashioned or humorous slang meaning 'to be arrested'. Literally 'to become the police's business'.
逮捕される is the standard, neutral term for 'be arrested' and is used in news and formal contexts. 捕まる is more casual and can also mean 'to be caught' in non-legal situations (e.g., caught by a teacher). Use 逮捕される for official arrests, and 捕まる for everyday conversation or when the focus is on being caught.
彼はスピード違反で捕まったが、逮捕はされなかった。
He got caught for speeding but wasn't arrested.
In Japanese, 'be arrested' is usually expressed with the passive form (逮捕される) rather than an active verb with 'police' as the subject. Saying '警察が彼を逮捕した' (The police arrested him) is grammatically correct but less common when the focus is on the person being arrested.
A more casual, everyday word meaning 'to be caught' or 'to be arrested'. Often used in conversation.
万引きして捕まった。
I got caught shoplifting.
警察に捕まらないように逃げた。
He ran away so he wouldn't get arrested by the police.
A more formal or legal term, often used in news reports. Implies being apprehended and charged.
容疑者は詐欺の疑いで検挙された。
The suspect was arrested on suspicion of fraud.
A formal phrase meaning 'to have one's person taken into custody'. Used in legal or news contexts.
被疑者の身柄が拘束された。
The suspect was taken into custody.
スリが御用になった。
The pickpocket got nabbed.