把握

はあく

grasp, catch, understanding

JLPT N1

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

"把握" (はあく) means to grasp or understand something deeply and accurately. It is often used in formal or business contexts to describe understanding complex information, situations, or concepts.

Common Contexts

You will see "把握" used when talking about understanding the essence of a problem, grasping the current situation, or comprehending data and trends. It implies a thorough and precise understanding rather than a superficial one.

Collocations and Patterns

  • 問題を把握する: to grasp the problem
  • 状況を把握する: to grasp the situation
  • 情報を把握する: to grasp information These collocations emphasize the act of understanding or capturing the core or details of something.

Register and Nuance

"把握" is a formal word, suitable for written language, business, academic, or professional settings. It is less common in casual conversation, where simpler words like "わかる" or "理解する" might be used.

Common Mistake

Learners sometimes confuse "把握" with just "understanding" in a casual sense. Remember, "把握" implies a deeper, more precise comprehension, often of complex or important matters.

Example Sentences

もんだいのほんしつをせいかくにはあくすることがじゅうようだ。

It is important to accurately grasp the essence of the problem.

かれはじょうきょうをすぐにはあくして、てきせつなたいおうをした。

He quickly grasped the situation and responded appropriately.

データをはあくするために、まずぜんたいのけいこうをぶんせきしよう。

To grasp the data, let's first analyze the overall trends.