What does “tsukamaeru” mean in Japanese?
Native speakers say “tsukamaeru” often to mean ‘to catch’ in Japanese. Perhaps, some Japanese learners know this verb as it is sometimes used in Japanese movies, songs, novels, manga, anime, and the like. In this blog post, however, I will explain it together with its major conjugations. And also, I will explain how to use them through example sentences. My explanations would help Japanese learners use “tsukamaeru” more properly. Then, let’s get started!
Contents
- Definition and meanings of “tsukamaeru”
- Tsukamaenai: the nai form of “tsukamaeru”
- Tsukamaeyou: the volitional form of “tsukamaeru”
- Tsukamaemasu: the masu form of “tsukamaeru”
- Tsukamaeta: the past tense form of “tsukamaeru”
- Tsukamaete: the te form of “tsukamaeru”
- Tsukamaereba: the ba form of “tsukamaeru”
- Summary
Definition and meanings of “tsukamaeru”
Let me start with the definition and meanings of “tsukamaeru”.
- tsukamaeru – 捕まえる (つかまえる) : a verb meaning ‘to catch’ in Japanese. Depending on the context and situation, this can also mean ‘to arrest’ or ‘to seize’ in Japanese.
The definition and meanings are not that difficult. The meanings seem to be based on similar concepts. Then, let me explain how to use this verb through the example sentence below.
Example #1: how to say “catch” in Japanese
kodomo tachi ga mushi wo tsukamaeru – 子供達が虫を捕まえる (こどもたちがむしをつかまえる)
Kids catch bugs.
Below are the new words used in the example sentence.
- kodomo – 子供 (こども) : a noun meaning ‘child’ or ‘kid’ in Japanese. This can also work as plural. Learn more about Japanese plural.
- tachi – 達 (たち) : a suffix used after a noun or pronoun to make its plural form. In the example, this is used after “kodomo” to make its plural form, “kodomo tachi”, which means ‘kids’ in Japanese.
- ga – が : a case particle used to make the subject word or the object word in a sentence. In the example, this is used after “kodomo tachi” to make the subject in the sentence.
- mushi – 虫 (むし) : a noun meaning ‘bug’ or ‘insect’ in Japanese. This can also work as plural.
- wo – を : a case particle used to make the object word in a sentence. In the example, this is used after “mushi” to make the object in the sentence.
This is a typical usage of “tsukamaeru”. In the example, it works together with the case particle, “wo”, to have the object. When we want to mean ‘to catch’ in Japanese, this verb is a very good option.
So far, I’ve explained the definition and meanings of “tsukamaeru” and how to use it through the example sentence. In the rest part of this blog post, I will explain its major conjugations. The first one is “tsukamaenai”.
Tsukamaenai: the nai form of “tsukamaeru”
Below are the definition and meanings of “tsukamaenai”.
- tsukamaenai – 捕まえない (つかまえない) : the nai form of “tsukamaeru”, which means ‘not to catch’, ‘not to arrest’, or ‘not to seize’ in Japanese.
Grammatically, “tsukamaenai” consists of the following two parts:
- tsukamae – 捕まえ (つかまえ) : one conjugation of “tsukamaeru”. This can have a smooth connection with “nai”.
- nai – ない : an auxiliary verb used after a verb, adjective, or auxiliary verb to deny its meaning. Word orders in Japanese and English are different, but the role of this auxiliary verb is very similar to that of “not”.
From these two parts, we can understand that “tsukamaenai” is literally the nai form of “tsukamaeru” and means ‘not to catch’, ‘not to arrest’, or ‘not to seize’ in Japanese. Then, let me explain how to use this form through the example sentence below.
Example #2: how to say “don’t catch” in Japanese
boku no imouto wa mushi wo tsukamaenai – 僕の妹は虫を捕まえない (ぼくのいもうとはむしをつかまえない)
My little sisters don’t catch bugs.
Below are the new words used in the example sentence.
- boku – 僕 (ぼく) : a pronoun meaning ‘I’ in Japanese. This is used mainly by boys and young males.
- no – の : a case particle used after a noun or pronoun to make its possessive case. In the example, this is used after “boku” to make its possessive case, “boku no”, which means ‘my’ in Japanese.
- imouto – 妹 (いもうと) : a noun meaning ‘little sister’ in Japanese. This can also work as plural.
- wa – は : a binding particle working as a case marker or topic marker. In the example, this works after “boku no imouto” to make the subject in the sentence.
This is a typical usage of “tsukamaenai”. When we want to mean ‘not to catch’ in Japanese, this nai form is a very good option.
Tsukamaeyou: the volitional form of “tsukamaeru”
Below are the definition and meanings of “tsukamaeyou”.
- tsukamaeyou – 捕まえよう (つかまえよう) : the volitional form of “tsukamaeru”, which expresses volition to catch, arrest, or seize.
Grammatically, “tsukamaeyou” consists of the following two parts:
- tsukamae – 捕まえ (つかまえ) : one conjugation of “tsukamaeru”. This can have a smooth connection with “you”.
- you – よう : an auxiliary verb used after a verb to make its volitional form.
From these two parts, we can understand that “tsukamaeyou” is literally the volitional form of “tsukamaeru” and expresses volition to catch, arrest, or seize in Japanese. Then, let me explain how to use this form through the example sentence below.
Example #3: how to say “let’s catch” in Japanese
issho ni mushi wo tsukamaeyou – 一緒に虫を捕まえよう (いっしょにむしをつかまえよう)
Let’s catch bugs together!
Below are the new words used in the example sentence.
- issho – 一緒 (いっしょ) : a noun meaning ‘same’, ‘being together’, or such in Japanese.
- ni – に : a case particle used to say how someone does something. In the example, this is used after “issho” to say “together” in Japanese.
This is a typical usage of “tsukamaeyou”. In this example, it works to make the suggestion. When we want to say “let’s catch” in Japanese, this volitional form is a good option.
Tsukamaemasu: the masu form of “tsukamaeru”
Below are the definition and meanings of “tsukamaemasu”.
- tsukamaemasu – 捕まえます (つかまえます) : the masu form of “tsukamaeru”, which means ‘to catch’, ‘to arrest’, or ‘to seize’ politely in Japanese.
Grammatically, “tsukamaemasu” consists of the following two parts:
- tsukamae – 捕まえ (つかまえ) : one conjugation of “tsukamaeru”. This can have a smooth connection with “masu”.
- masu – ます : an auxiliary verb used after a verb to make it polite. Probably, this is well known as a part of Japanese masu form.
From these two parts, we can understand that “tsukamaemasu” is literally the masu form of “tsukamaeru” and means ‘to catch’, ‘to arrest’, or ‘to seize’ politely in Japanese. Then, let me explain how to use this form through the example sentence below.
Example #4: how to say “catch” politely in Japanese
boku tachi wa chou wo tsukamaemasu – 僕達は蝶を捕まえます (ぼくたちはちょうをつかまえます)
We catch butterflies.
Below is the new word used in the example sentence.
- chou – 蝶 (ちょう) : a noun meaning ‘butterfly’ in Japanese. This can also work as plural.
This is a typical usage of “tsukamaemasu”. Its politeness has not been reflected in the English sentence, but the Japanese sentence sounds polite thanks to the masu form. When we want to say “catch” politely in Japanese, this form is a good option.
Tsukamaeta: the past tense form of “tsukamaeru”
Below are the definition and meanings of “tsukamaeta”.
- tsukamaeta – 捕まえた (つかまえた) : the past tense form of “tsukamaeru”, which means ‘caught’, ‘arrested’, ‘seized’, or such in Japanese.
Grammatically, “tsukamaeta” consists of the following two parts:
- tsukamae – 捕まえ (つかまえ) : one conjugation of “tsukamaeru”. This can have a smooth connection with “ta”.
- ta – た : an auxiliary verb used after a verb, adjective, or auxiliary verb to make its past tense form.
From these two parts, we can understand that “tsukamaeta” is literally the past tense form of “tsukamaeru” and means ‘caught’, ‘arrested’, ‘seized’, or such in Japanese. Let me explain how to use this form through the example sentence below.
Example #5: how to say “arrested” in Japanese
kanojo ga kare wo tsukamaeta – 彼女が彼を捕まえた (かのじょがかれをつかまえた)
She arrested him.
Below are the new words used in the example sentence.
- kanojo – 彼女 (かのじょ) : a pronoun meaning ‘she’ in Japanese.
- kare – 彼 (かれ) : a pronoun meaning ‘he’ in Japanese.
This is a typical usage of “tsukamaeta”. When we want to use the past tense form of “tsukamaeru”, this form is the best option.
Tsukamaete: the te form of “tsukamaeru”
Below are the definition and meanings of “tsukamaete”.
- tsukamaete – 捕まえて (つかまえて) : the te form of “tsukamaeru”, which means ‘to catch’, ‘to arrest’, or ‘to seize’ in Japanese.
Grammatically, “tsukamaete” consists of the following two parts:
- tsukamae – 捕まえ (つかまえ) : one conjugation of “tsukamaeru”. This can have a smooth connection with “te”.
- te – て : a conjunctive particle used after a verb, adjective, or auxiliary verb to make its te form.
From these two parts, we can understand that “tsukamaete” is literally the te form of “tsukamaeru”. In Japanese, te-formed words have some important roles. One of them is make a chronological order in a sentence. So, “tsukamaete” is very useful when we want to implement a chronological order into a sentence with adding the meaning of ‘to catch’, ‘to arrest’, or ‘to seize’ in Japanese. Let me explain this usage through the example sentence below.
Example #6: how to say “catch and then”
karera wa mushi wo tsukamaete nigasu – 彼等は虫を捕まえて逃がす (かれらはむしをつかまえてにがす)
They catch bugs and then release.
Below are the new words used in the example sentence.
- karera – 彼等 (かれら) : a pronoun meaning ‘they’ in Japanese.
- nigasu – 逃がす (にがす) : a verb meaning ‘to release’ or such in Japanese.
This is a typical usage of “tsukamaete”. In the example, it works to make the chronological order in the sentence.
Tsukamaereba: the ba form of “tsukamaeru”
Lastly, let me explain the definition and meanings of “tsukamaereba”.
- tsukamaereba – 捕まえれば (つかまえれば) : the ba form of “tsukamaeru”, which makes a conditional clause in a sentence with meaning ‘to catch’, ‘to arrest’, or ‘to seize’ in Japanese.
Grammatically, “tsukamaereba” consists of the following two parts:
- tsukamaere – 捕まえれ (つかまえれ) : one conjugation of “tsukamaeru”. This can have a smooth connection with “ba”.
- ba – ば : a conjunctive particle used after a verb, adjective, or auxiliary verb to make its ba form.
From these two parts, we can understand that “tsukamaereba” is literally the ba form of “tsukamaeru”. In Japanese, the ba forms of words can work as their conditional forms. So, we can use “tsukamaereba” to make a conditional clause in a sentence with adding the meaning of ‘to catch’, ‘to arrest’, or ‘to seize’ in Japanese. Let me explain this usage through the example sentence below.
Example #7: how to say “if catch” in Japanese
kare wo tsukamaereba, sukoshi okane wo kasegeru – 彼を捕まえれば、少しお金を稼げる (かれをつかまえれば、すこしおかねをかせげる)
If you catch him, you can get some money.
Below are the new words used in the example sentence.
- sukoshi – 少し (すこし) : an adverb meaning ‘a little’ or such in Japanese.
- okane – お金 (おかね) : a noun meaning ‘money’ in Japanese.
- kasegeru – 稼げる (かせげる) : a potential verb meaning ‘can earn’ or ‘can make (money)’ in Japanese.
This is a typical usage of “tsukamaereba”. In this example, it works as a part of the conditional clause, “kare wo tsukamaereba”, which means ‘if you catch him’ in Japanese. When we want to make a conditional clause in a sentence with adding the meaning of ‘to catch’ in Japanese, this ba form is a good option.
Summary
In this blog post, I’ve explained the definition and meanings of “tsukamaeru” together with its major conjugations. And also, I’ve explained how to use them through the example sentences. Let me summarize them as follows.
- tsukamaeru – 捕まえる (つかまえる) : a verb meaning ‘to catch’ in Japanese. Depending on the context and situation, this can also mean ‘to arrest’ or ‘to seize’ in Japanese.
- tsukamaenai – 捕まえない (つかまえない) : the nai form of “tsukamaeru”, which means ‘not to catch’, ‘not to arrest’, or ‘not to seize’ in Japanese.
- tsukamaeyou – 捕まえよう (つかまえよう) : the volitional form of “tsukamaeru”, which expresses volition to catch, arrest, or seize.
- tsukamaemasu – 捕まえます (つかまえます) : the masu form of “tsukamaeru”, which means ‘to catch’, ‘to arrest’, or ‘to seize’ politely in Japanese.
- tsukamaeta – 捕まえた (つかまえた) : the past tense form of “tsukamaeru”, which means ‘caught’, ‘arrested’, ‘seized’, or such in Japanese.
- tsukamaete – 捕まえて (つかまえて) : the te form of “tsukamaeru”, which means ‘to catch’, ‘to arrest’, or ‘to seize’ in Japanese. When we want to make a chronological order in a sentence with adding the meaning of ‘to catch’ in Japanese, this te form is a good option.
- tsukamaereba – 捕まえれば (つかまえれば) : the ba form of “tsukamaeru”, which makes a conditional clause in a sentence with meaning ‘to catch’, ‘to arrest’, or ‘to seize’ in Japanese.
Hope my explanations are understandable and helpful for Japanese learners.
