Translation guide
The English word 'catcher' can refer to a person or device that catches something, or specifically to the baseball position. In Japanese, the translation depends heavily on context.
The player positioned behind home plate who catches pitches.
The standard loanword for the baseball catcher position. Used in all contexts.
A person who catches something, such as in a game or activity.
A general pattern meaning 'person who catches ~'. Use the verb 捕る (とる) for catching objects.
ボールを捕る人が必要です。
We need someone to catch the ball.
A mechanical or physical device designed to catch something.
彼は高校のキャッチャーです。
He is the catcher on the high school team.
The native Japanese term for the baseball catcher position. Common in written or formal contexts, such as newspaper articles.
捕手のサインに投手がうなずいた。
The pitcher nodded at the catcher's sign.
Literally 'receiver', can be used for a person who catches or receives something, but is less common for physical catching and more for abstract receiving.
彼はその知らせの受け手となった。
He became the recipient of the news.
Often used as a loanword in technical or product names for a catching device, e.g., 'bug catcher' or 'dust catcher'.
この虫キャッチャーは便利です。
This bug catcher is handy.
A suffix meaning 'catcher' or 'trap' for specific things, e.g., 虫捕り器 (むしとりき, bug catcher).
蚊捕り器を設置した。
We set up a mosquito catcher.