Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
捕bǔ(bu3)
The character 捕 (bǔ) means 'to catch' or 'to seize.' It is commonly used in contexts involving capturing something, whether it be a physical object, an animal, or even an abstract idea like an opportunity. In law enforcement, it specifically refers to arresting someone.
Strokes10Radical扌Frequency#6886DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, catching fish is not just a livelihood but also a metaphor for seizing opportunities, often reflected in proverbs and sayings. The concept of capturing is also prominent in martial arts, emphasizing precision and control.
Memory Tip
Imagine a fisherman (the radical 捕) throwing out his net to catch fish. The net symbolizes capturing, and the sound 'bǔ' resembles the noise one might make while throwing the net. Picture the fisherman shouting 'Boo!' as he catches a big fish.
Meanings of 捕
bǔ(bu3)
1to catch
2to seize
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 捕
捕Simplified
10Strokes
扌Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#6886Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6IntermediateTOCFLL5HSKKL3CEFRC1
Podcast: 捕
Podcast: 捕
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 捕
Quick Contrast
捕 (bǔ) vs 捉 (zhuō) — use 捕 when referring to catching or seizing in a broader sense, including legal contexts; 捉 is more specific to catching something alive, often used for animals.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 捕 with other similar verbs like 捉 (zhuō), which also means 'to catch' but is more specific to catching animals. 捕 is more formal and often used in legal contexts. Ensure you use the correct tone; mispronouncing it could change its meaning.
HSK Study Tips
Though 捕 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it connects to words at HSK levels 3 and 4 that involve actions or verbs, such as 拿 (ná - to take) or 抓 (zhuā - to grasp). Focus on distinguishing the nuances between these verbs.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 捕 with 抓, mistakenly using 捕 when referring to catching a cold, saying '我捕了感冒' instead of '我得了感冒.' Use '得' (dé) for illnesses.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 捕
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 捕 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Phonosemantic compound. 扌 represents the meaning and 甫 represents the sound.
1The meaning half扌 carries the sense.
2The sound half甫 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawayhand
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 捕? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 捕?
Decomposition of 捕
IDS Structure⿰扌甫
捕Full Character
=
扌shou3
left
甫fu3
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 捕?
How to say to catch in Chinese
“to catch” in Chinese is捕bǔ
The character 捕 (bǔ) means 'to catch' or 'to seize.' It is commonly used in contexts involving capturing something, whether it be a physical object, an animal, or even an abstract idea like an opportunity. In law enforcement, it specifically refers to arresting someone.
When to use 捕
Be careful not to confuse 捕 with other similar verbs like 捉 (zhuō), which also means 'to catch' but is more specific to catching animals. 捕 is more formal and often used in legal contexts. Ensure you use the correct tone; mispronouncing it could change its meaning.
捕 or something close to it
捕 (bǔ) vs 捉 (zhuō) — use 捕 when referring to catching or seizing in a broader sense, including legal contexts; 捉 is more specific to catching something alive, often used for animals.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 捕 with 抓, mistakenly using 捕 when referring to catching a cold, saying '我捕了感冒' instead of '我得了感冒.' Use '得' (dé) for illnesses.
Write 捕
捕
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 捕 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Grammar Patterns of 捕
捕 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 4 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
警察以携带攻击性武器为由逮____了我。
The police nicked me for carrying an offensive weapon.
Example Sentences for 捕 (10)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
警察以携带攻击性武器为由逮捕了我。
jǐng chá yǐ xié dài gōng jī xìng wǔ qì wéi yóu dài bǔ le wǒ。
The police nicked me for carrying an offensive weapon.
