把握(はあく)

把握(はあく) means to grasp or comprehend—having a clear understanding of a situation.

Etymology

把(は) (grasp) + 握(あく) (grip) = firm understanding

Common collocations

• 状況(じょうきょう)を把握(はあく)する: to grasp the situation
• 全体(ぜんたい)像(ぞう)を把握(はあく)する: to understand the big picture
• 現状(げんじょう)把握(はあく): understanding the current state
• 実態(じったい)把握(はあく): grasping the actual situation
• 情報(じょうほう)を把握(はあく)する: to comprehend information

Business usage

Very common in meetings and reports: まず現状(げんじょう)を把握(はあく)しましょう (Let's first understand the current situation).

Related words

• 理解(りかい): understanding (general)
• 認識(にんしき): recognition, awareness
• 掌握(しょうあく): control, having in one's grasp