Translation and Meaning of: 捕まる - tsukamaru

The Japanese word 捕まる[つかまる] is a verb that can raise questions for Japanese students, especially due to its use in specific contexts. In this article, we will explore its meaning, origin, and applications in everyday life, along with tips for memorization and cultural curiosities. If you've ever wondered how to use this word correctly or why it appears in certain situations, keep reading to discover everything about 捕まる.

Meaning and use of 捕まる

捕まる [つかまる] is a Japanese verb that means "to be caught," "to be captured," or "to be seized." It is often used in situations where someone is detained by the police or when an object gets stuck in something. For example, if someone commits a crime, it can be said that the person 捕まる (is caught).

In addition to the literal meaning, this word can also have a more figurative tone. In informal conversations, it can be used to describe situations where someone gets "stuck" in a commitment or obligation. The versatility of the term means it appears in various contexts, from police news to everyday dialogues.

Origin and writing in kanji

The word 捕まる is composed of the kanji 捕, which means "to capture" or "to catch," followed by the hiragana まる, which indicates the verbal form. The kanji 捕 is commonly used in terms related to apprehension, such as 逮捕 (たいほ - arrest) or 捕獲 (ほかく - capture). This relationship helps to understand why 捕まる is associated with situations of detention or immobilization.

It is worth noting that the reading つかまる is one of the most common forms, but the same kanji can have other pronunciations depending on the context. Studying the origin of the characters helps to memorize not only this word but also others that share the same radical.

Tips for memorizing and using correctly

An effective way to remember the meaning of 捕まる is to associate it with concrete situations, such as news about criminals being arrested or objects getting stuck in tight places. This visual connection makes vocabulary retention easier. Another tip is to practice with simple sentences, like "泥棒が捕まった" (The thief was caught).

Additionally, it's important to note that 捕まる is an intransitive verb, meaning it does not require a direct object. If you want to say "to catch someone," the correct transitive verb would be 捕まえる[つかまえる]. This distinction helps prevent common mistakes among beginner students.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Verb conjugation of 捕まる

• 捕まる transitive verb
• 捕まられる Passive verb
• 捕まっている continuous verb
• 捕まらない negative verb

Synonyms and similar words

• 逮捕される (Taiho sareru) - To be arrested; formally captured by the police.
• 捕捉される (Hoshaku sareru) - To be captured; usually in a context of apprehension or wider capture.
• 拘束される (Kousoku sareru) - Being detained; the act of restricting freedom, not necessarily in a criminal context.
• 拘留される (Kouryuu sareru) - Being detained; specifically in the context of being in police custody.

捕まる

Romaji: tsukamaru
Kana: つかまる
Type: verb
L: jlpt-n3

Translation / Meaning: get caught; be arrested

Meaning in English: to be caught;to be arrested

Definition: A person is arrested to pay for a crime.

Example Sentences - (捕まる) tsukamaru

See below some example sentences:

私は警察に捕まる前に逃げたいです。

Watashi wa keisatsu ni tsukamaru mae ni nigetai desu

I want to run away before I get caught by the police.

I want to escape before I get caught by the police.

• 私 - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 警察 - Japanese word that means "police"
• に - particle that indicates the direction or target of an action
• 捕まる - Japanese verb that means "to be arrested"
• 前に - expression meaning "before"
• 逃げたい - Japanese verb that means "to want to escape"
• です - final particle that indicates the end of the sentence and the formal tone