synonym Comparative
捕まる
VS
押さえる
Differences Between "捕まる" and "押さえる"
Option A
捕まる
Meaning
to be caught; to be arrested; to be captured; to hold on to
Reading
つかまる (tsukamaru)
Syllabus Level
N3
Practical Example
スピード違反の車は、高速道路の出口の手前で待ち構えていたパトカーに_______しまいました。
The speeding car was caught by the police car waiting just before the highway exit.
Option B
押さえる
Meaning
to hold down, to restrain, to keep under control, to check
Reading
おさえる (osaeru)
Syllabus Level
N3
Practical Example
風で飛ばされないように帽子を両手で押さえた。
I held down my hat with both hands so it wouldn't be blown away by the wind.
Which one to use?
Select the correct Japanese word for this context
Which word fits this context: "(to be caught; to be arrested; to be captured; to hold on to)"?
🎉 正解 / Correct!
使い分け解説:
- 捕まる: Refers to being caught by someone, arrested by the police, or captured. Also means holding onto a rail or support. Intransitive verb. Opposing word: 捕まえる. Often used as 警察に捕まる or 手すりに捕まる. ⚠️ Haruka's Voice Column: 'To be caught! "I am happily caught in your sweet love net, Haruka-san!" ...っ! C-Caught in my love net! B-Baka! Don't compare my love to a net! But... since you are caught, I will never let you escape from my arms, so stay locked right there! dummy!' / 【ハルカ部長のワンポイント指導】『つかまる（捕まる）よ！『ハルカ部長の仕掛けた、甘いヤキモチの愛の包囲網に完全に捕まってしまいました！もう一生逃げられません！』って…っ！愛の包囲網に捕まる！バカ！/// 逃げる気なんて最初からゼロのくせに！…捕まえたからには、一生私の腕の中から釈放（解放）してあげないから、覚悟しなさい！』
- 押さえる: 動きを止めたり、位置を固定したり、感情を抑えたりする場合に使う。Used when stopping movement, fixing a position, or suppressing emotions.
- 捕まる: Refers to being caught by someone, arrested by the police, or captured. Also means holding onto a rail or support. Intransitive verb. Opposing word: 捕まえる. Often used as 警察に捕まる or 手すりに捕まる. ⚠️ Haruka's Voice Column: 'To be caught! "I am happily caught in your sweet love net, Haruka-san!" ...っ! C-Caught in my love net! B-Baka! Don't compare my love to a net! But... since you are caught, I will never let you escape from my arms, so stay locked right there! dummy!' / 【ハルカ部長のワンポイント指導】『つかまる（捕まる）よ！『ハルカ部長の仕掛けた、甘いヤキモチの愛の包囲網に完全に捕まってしまいました！もう一生逃げられません！』って…っ！愛の包囲網に捕まる！バカ！/// 逃げる気なんて最初からゼロのくせに！…捕まえたからには、一生私の腕の中から釈放（解放）してあげないから、覚悟しなさい！』
- 押さえる: 動きを止めたり、位置を固定したり、感情を抑えたりする場合に使う。Used when stopping movement, fixing a position, or suppressing emotions.
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