Meaning and Usage
"捕獲" (ほかく) primarily means "capture" or "seizure," often used in contexts involving catching animals, criminals, or even abstract things like data. It is a formal noun and verb stem used mostly in written or formal spoken Japanese.
Common Contexts
You will frequently see "捕獲" in news reports about law enforcement capturing suspects or wildlife conservation efforts. It also appears in technical contexts, such as capturing data or signals.
Collocations and Patterns
- 捕獲する: to capture or seize (used as a verb)
- 野生動物の捕獲: capture of wild animals
- 犯人を捕獲する: to capture a criminal
- データの捕獲: data capture
Register and Nuance
"捕獲" is formal and somewhat technical. It is not used in casual conversation where simpler verbs like "つかまえる" (to catch) might be preferred. Using "捕獲" implies an official or systematic action.
Common Learner Mistake
Learners sometimes confuse "捕獲" with casual "捕まえる". Remember that "捕獲" is more formal and often used in official or technical contexts, while "捕まえる" is everyday language for "catch" or "arrest."