擒 (qín) - To capture & to seize

擒Tone 2

qín ｜ 15 strokes ｜ radical:

器情

擒 · qín

To capture;

to seize;

to arrest;

to catch.

To captureto seizeto arrest

Usage highlights

Capture and killCapture aliveArresting techniqueCapture the ringleader firstCapture and releaseCapture the enemy chieftain

Synonyms

  • 捉— to catch; to seize
  • 捕— to arrest; to catch
  • 拿— to take; to capture

Antonyms

  • 放— to release; to set free
  • 释— to release; to set free

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The police captured the suspect (擒获嫌疑人).
  • He caught a thief in the act (擒贼).
  • The strategy was to capture the enemy leader first (擒贼先擒王).
  • The martial arts move is designed to subdue an opponent (擒拿手法).

Collocations

  • Capture and kill(擒杀)
  • Capture alive(生擒)
  • Arresting technique(擒拿)
  • Capture the ringleader first(擒贼擒王)
  • Capture and release(擒纵)
  • Capture the enemy chieftain(擒敌酋)

Idioms

  • Capture the ringleader first to capture the bandits(擒贼先擒王)
  • Easy as catching a turtle in a jar(瓮中捉鳖)
  • To capture a tiger in its den(虎穴擒虎)
  • Capture dragon and subdue tiger(擒龙伏虎)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Frequently appears in military and martial arts contexts, emphasizing strategy and skill over brute force.
  • The character combines hand (扌) and禽 (bird), suggesting the action of catching something with the hands.
  • Common in classical literature and historical texts describing battles, arrests, or heroic feats.

FAQ