Translation guide
The English verb 'capture' covers several distinct meanings: physically catching or trapping, taking control of a place or person, recording or preserving something, and expressing or encapsulating an idea or feeling. This guide organizes Japanese expressions by these core meanings, from most common to more niche uses.
To physically seize, catch, or trap a person, animal, or criminal.
The most common and versatile word for catching or capturing someone or something physically. Used for criminals, animals, and even grabbing a person.
警察は犯人を捕まえた。
The police captured the criminal.
猫がネズミを捕まえた。
The cat caught a mouse.
A more formal term, often used for capturing animals, especially in official or scientific contexts.
野生動物の捕獲は禁止されています。
Capturing wild animals is prohibited.
Specifically means to capture alive. Used for animals or enemies in historical contexts.
敵将を生け捕りにした。
They captured the enemy general alive.
To seize or gain control over a place, object, or information, often by force or strategy.
Used for occupying or capturing territory, cities, or buildings, especially in military contexts.
敵軍が首都を占領した。
The enemy army captured the capital.
Emphasizes seizing or wresting control, often used for capturing equipment, flags, or abstract things like power.
彼らは敵の旗を奪取した。
They captured the enemy's flag.
Often used for capturing a fortress or stronghold in games or historical contexts; also means to conquer or clear a game level.
城を攻略するのに三ヶ月かかった。
It took three months to capture the castle.
To hijack or take over control, used for vehicles, accounts, or systems.
To capture something in a lasting form, such as a photo, video, audio, or data.
Specifically for capturing images or video with a camera.
美しい夕日を撮影した。
I captured a beautiful sunset.
For capturing audio or sound.
会議の内容を録音した。
I captured the content of the meeting on audio.
General term for recording or documenting, including data, events, or moments.
その瞬間を写真に記録した。
I captured that moment in a photo.
Loanword from English, used mainly in computing for screen captures or data capture.
画面をキャプチャーしてください。
Please capture the screen.
To represent or convey something accurately, such as a mood, spirit, or quality.
To grasp or capture an abstract concept, feeling, or essence. Often used in artistic or descriptive contexts.
彼の絵はその時代の精神をよく捉えている。
His painting captures the spirit of the era well.
To express or represent; broader than 'capture', but often used when talking about capturing a feeling in words or art.
その言葉は私の気持ちを完璧に表現している。
Those words capture my feelings perfectly.
To depict or portray; used when capturing a scene or character in detail.
小説は当時の生活を生き生きと描写している。
The novel vividly captures life at that time.
To engage and hold someone's attention or interest.
Also used for capturing attention or imagination, similar to the abstract sense above.
その映画は観客の心を捉えた。
The movie captured the audience's hearts.
To attract or draw in; often used for capturing interest or attention.
To captivate or fascinate; stronger than just capturing attention, implies enchantment.
彼女の歌声は聴く者を魅了した。
Her singing voice captured the listeners.
捕まえる is the everyday word for catching or capturing, used for criminals, animals, or even grabbing a friend. 捕獲する is formal and often used in official reports or wildlife management.
子どもが虫を捕まえた。
The child caught a bug.
絶滅危惧種の捕獲は法律で規制されている。
Capture of endangered species is regulated by law.
When 'capture' means to express or encapsulate, do not use physical capture words like 捕まえる. Use 捉える or 表現する instead.
その写真は風景の美しさを捉えている。
The photo captures the beauty of the landscape.
彼らは敵の要塞を攻略した。
They captured the enemy fortress.
A hacker captured the system.
彼の話は聴衆の注意を引きつけた。
His story captured the audience's attention.