Translation guide
The English word 'intercept' covers several distinct actions: stopping something in transit, catching a pass in sports, cutting off a route, and eavesdropping on communications. Japanese uses different verbs and expressions for each.
To stop, catch, or seize a person, vehicle, message, or object while it is on its way from one place to another.
General term for preventing something from proceeding; often used for intercepting plans, attacks, or movements.
敵の攻撃を阻止した。
We intercepted the enemy's attack.
Literally 'catch on the way'; used for physically stopping a person or vehicle mid-route.
逃亡者を途中で捕まえた。
They intercepted the fugitive en route.
To snatch or intercept something meant for someone else, like a package or opportunity.
彼は私宛の小包を横取りした。
He intercepted a package addressed to me.
Military term for intercepting and attacking enemy aircraft, missiles, etc.
ミサイルを迎撃した。
They intercepted the missile.
In sports like football or basketball, to catch a pass intended for an opponent.
Loanword from English, widely used in sports contexts.
彼はパスをインターセプトした。
He intercepted the pass.
Common in basketball and soccer; literally 'pass cut'.
相手のパスをカットした。
I intercepted the opponent's pass.
General verb for 'take away' or 'steal', used for intercepting a ball.
To position oneself or something so as to block someone's path or prevent passage.
To block, obstruct, or cut off a path, view, or sound.
彼は私の行く手を遮った。
He intercepted my path.
To obstruct or interfere with a process or movement.
通信を妨害した。
They intercepted the communication.
To secretly listen to or capture a communication not intended for you.
Standard term for intercepting radio, telephone, or electronic communications.
敵の無線通信を傍受した。
We intercepted the enemy's radio communication.
Specifically for wiretapping or bugging a conversation.
警察は彼の電話を盗聴していた。
The police were intercepting his phone calls.
Casual loanword for picking up a signal or message.
そのメッセージをキャッチした。
I intercepted the message.
傍受する is a neutral term for intercepting signals, often used in military or radio contexts. 盗聴する implies illegal or covert eavesdropping, like wiretapping.
アマチュア無線を傍受するのは趣味だ。
Intercepting amateur radio is a hobby.
盗聴は犯罪です。
Wiretapping is a crime.
インターセプト is almost exclusively used in sports. Using it for military or communication interception sounds unnatural.
He intercepted the ball.
To stand in the way and block someone, often with a nuance of confrontation.
警備員が前に立ちはだかった。
A guard intercepted me by standing in my way.