Japanese word

つかむ

Pronunciation

Romajitsukamu

Meaning

  • verbcatch

Example

私はボールをつかみます。watashi wa bō ru o tsu ka mi ma su

I catch the ball.

Illustration for つかむ (catch)

More examples

落ちてきた箱をつかみました。o chi te ki ta bako o tsu ka mi ma shi ta

I caught a box as it fell.

Core concept

Describes taking hold of something by hand, either catching it as it comes or gripping it after contact.

Common phrases

  • ロープをつかむrō pu o tsu ka mu

    grab the rope

  • 荷物をつかむni motsu o tsu ka mu

    grab the luggage

  • 相手の手をつかむai te no te o tsu ka mu

    grab someone's hand

Similar words

握るnigiru: To hold something tightly in the hand.

Definition in Japanese

手や指で物を取り、しっかりと持つ。te ya yubi de mono o to ri shi kka ri to mo tsu

Word origin

つかむ (tsukamu) is a native Japanese verb with no securely established deeper etymology; its common kanji spelling 掴む (tsukamu) uses a character associated with seizing or grasping.

Usage tips

  • Unlike English catch, つかむ (tsukamu) normally involves taking hold with the hand, so it is not the usual verb for catching a bus.

Other meanings

  • grabverb
  • graspverb

Opposites

Related words

  • つかみ方tsukamikataway of graspingnoun

Word lists with this word