Japanese word

捕る

Pronunciation

Romajitoru

Meaning

  • verbcatch

Example

父は川で魚を捕ります。chichi wa kawa de sakana o to ri ma su

My father catches fish in the river.

Illustration for 捕る (catch)

More examples

網を使わずに魚を捕るには、経験が必要です。ami o tsuka wa zu ni sakana o to ru ni wa kei ken ga hitsu yō de su

Experience is needed to catch fish without using a net.

Core concept

Captures a living thing by pursuing it, trapping it, or stopping its movement.

Common phrases

  • 魚を捕るsakana o to ru

    catch fish

  • 虫を捕るmushi o to ru

    catch bugs

  • 網で捕るami de to ru

    catch with a net

Similar words

捕まえるtsukamaeru: To seize a person or animal and prevent it from getting away.
釣るtsuru: To catch fish by using a hook and line.

Definition in Japanese

生き物を追って捕まえ、自分のものにする。i ki mono o o tte tsuka ma e ji bun no mo no ni su ru

Word origin

As a native Japanese verb, とる (toru, "to take") is written 捕る (toru, "to catch") when the action means capturing a living thing, with 捕 (ho, "capture") supplying the sense-marking kanji.

Usage tips

  • The English phrase catch-and-release refers to catching a fish and returning it, making catch a useful link to this Japanese verb's typical use.

Opposites

Related words

  • 捕り方torikataway of catchingnoun

Word lists with this word