French Conversation · Level 68
60 words
French word
capturer
Pronunciation
IPA/kaptyʁe/
Meaning
- verbcatch
Example
Le chien a capturé la souris.
The dog caught the mouse.
More examples
Le photographe a capturé un sourire pendant le mariage.
The photographer captured a smile during the wedding.
Core concept
A moving target is seized and held in view, whether it is an animal, an image, or an emotion.
Common phrases
capturer un sourire
capture a smile
capturer une expression
capture an expression
capturer une scène
capture a scene
Similar words
attraper: To catch a fleeing or fast-moving person or thing by hand or with a tool.
arrêter: To stop a moving person or thing so it can no longer act or move freely.
saisir: To grasp something firmly by hand or with a tool and hold it still.
prendre: To take something by hand and make it one's own.
Definition in French
Prendre et maintenir sous son contrôle quelqu'un ou quelque chose, souvent après une poursuite ou une lutte, et s'employer aussi au sens figuré pour fixer une image ou une émotion.
Word origin
French capturer is a learned derivative based on Latin capturare, from capere, meaning 'to take'.
Usage tips
- Capturer is more formal or technical than attraper for physically catching something, and it is common in figurative uses such as capturer une image or une émotion.