Translation guide
The English verb "seize" covers a range of meanings from physically grabbing something to taking control, arresting, or experiencing a sudden medical event. This guide organizes the most useful Japanese expressions by these distinct meanings.
To physically grasp something with force or speed, often with a sense of urgency or determination.
The most common and versatile word for grabbing or seizing something with your hand. Can be used for both concrete and abstract objects (like opportunities).
彼は私の腕を掴んだ。
He seized my arm.
チャンスを掴む。
Seize an opportunity.
To grip or hold tightly. Emphasizes the act of closing your hand around something, often with strength or determination.
彼はハンドルをしっかり握った。
He seized the steering wheel firmly.
To snatch or seize something roughly and quickly, often with a sense of theft or violence.
犯人はバッグをひったくった。
The criminal seized the bag.
To capture or take over something, such as a building, territory, or political power, often using military or aggressive means.
To occupy or seize a place, especially in a protest, military, or criminal context. Implies taking physical control of a location.
デモ隊が市庁舎を占拠した。
The demonstrators seized the city hall.
To seize control or grasp power, often used for abstract things like leadership, authority, or a situation. More formal than 占拠する.
彼は会社の実権を掌握した。
He seized control of the company.
To hijack or take over something, such as a vehicle, account, or organization, often illegally.
To confiscate or impound property, often by authorities like police or customs.
To seize or confiscate items as evidence or contraband. Standard legal term used by police and courts.
警察は麻薬を押収した。
The police seized the drugs.
To confiscate or forfeit property, often as a penalty or by authority. Slightly broader than 押収する, can be used in non-criminal contexts like schools.
先生は生徒のスマホを没収した。
The teacher seized the student's smartphone.
To take someone into custody, typically by law enforcement.
To arrest someone. The standard term for police taking a suspect into custody.
警察は容疑者を逮捕した。
The police seized the suspect.
To catch or capture someone. More casual than 逮捕する and can be used for non-police captures, like catching a thief.
警備員が万引きを捕まえた。
The security guard seized the shoplifter.
To be overcome by a feeling or a physical attack, such as fear, panic, or a seizure.
Literally 'to be attacked by ~'. Used for sudden, overwhelming feelings or physical conditions. Very natural and common.
彼は突然不安に襲われた。
He was suddenly seized with anxiety.
彼女は激しい痛みに襲われた。
She was seized with intense pain.
For emotions that well up or surge suddenly, like sadness or anger. Often used with 悲しみ (sadness) or 怒り (anger).
悲しみがこみ上げてきた。
I was seized with sadness.
A medical term for a seizure, fit, or attack. Used in phrases like てんかん発作 (epileptic seizure).
To act quickly and decisively to make use of a chance.
Literally 'grab a chance'. The most direct and common way to say 'seize an opportunity'.
彼はそのチャンスを掴んだ。
He seized the opportunity.
Literally 'not let an opportunity escape'. Emphasizes not missing a chance, which implies seizing it.
彼はどんな機会も逃さない。
He seizes every opportunity.
English uses 'seized with fear/panic' but Japanese does not use 掴む for emotions. Use ～に襲われる or ～がこみ上げる instead. Saying 恐怖を掴む is unnatural.
掴む (tsukamu) is to grab or seize, often with a sense of catching something moving or abstract. 握る (nigiru) is to grip or hold firmly, focusing on the hand closing around an object. For 'seize an opportunity', only 掴む is used.
The terrorists seized the airplane.
To seize or attach property, especially for debt collection or tax delinquency. Legal term.
税務署が彼の給料を差し押さえた。
The tax office seized his salary.
He had an epileptic seizure.