1.
to grab, to grasp
To take hold of something firmly.
手を掴む。
To grab someone's hand.
ロープをしっかり掴んだ。
I grabbed the rope firmly.
子供が母親の服を掴んで離さなかった。
The child grabbed the mother's clothes and wouldn't let go.
2.
to seize, to catch
To capture an opportunity or understand something.
チャンスを掴む。
To seize an opportunity.
要点を掴む。
To grasp the main points.
長年の努力でようやく成功を掴んだ。
After years of effort, I finally achieved success.
掴む is a transitive verb meaning to grab or grasp firmly, both physically and figuratively.
TRANSITIVITY:
- Type: 他動詞 (transitive)
- Pattern: 〜を掴む
PHYSICAL GRASPING:
- 手を掴む: to grab someone's hand
- ロープを掴む: to grab a rope
- 襟を掴む: to grab by the collar
FIGURATIVE USE:
- チャンスを掴む: to seize an opportunity
- 心を掴む: to capture someone's heart
- 要点を掴む: to grasp the main point
- 成功を掴む: to achieve success
SIMILAR VERBS:
- 握る: to grip, hold (sustained holding)
- 取る: to take (more general)
- 捕まえる: to catch, capture (person/animal)