Understanding "逮捕" - Chinese Word Explanation

1. Basic Information

• Word: 逮捕
• Pinyin: dài bǔ
• Literal Meaning: “to catch and seize”
• Primary Meaning: to arrest; to apprehend, especially by legal or police authority

2. In-depth Explanation

• Context and Usage:
  逮捕 is a formal Chinese word meaning “to arrest.” It is usually used in legal, police, news, or official contexts. It describes the act of taking someone into custody because they are suspected of committing a crime.

In English, 逮捕 is closest to “arrest,” not just “catch.” For example, police can 逮捕 a suspect, but you would not usually use 逮捕 for catching a ball, catching a bus, or catching an animal in daily speech.

This word is more formal than 抓 or 抓住, which can mean “catch,” “grab,” or informally “arrest.” In news reports or legal writing, 逮捕 is the more precise and serious word.

Common patterns include:

• 逮捕某人: to arrest someone
• 被逮捕: to be arrested

• 警方逮捕了嫌疑人: the police arrested the suspect

• Character Breakdown:

• 逮: to catch; to seize; to apprehend
  This character carries the idea of catching or taking hold of someone.

• 捕: to catch; to capture
  This character is also used in words related to catching, especially in more formal or official contexts.

Together, 逮捕 emphasizes legally or officially catching and taking someone into custody.

3. Example Sentences

• Chinese: 警察逮捕了那名嫌疑人。
• Pinyin: Jǐngchá dàibǔ le nà míng xiányírén.

• English: The police arrested that suspect.

• Chinese: 他因涉嫌盗窃被逮捕。

• Pinyin: Tā yīn shèxián dàoqiè bèi dàibǔ.

• English: He was arrested on suspicion of theft.

• Chinese: 新闻报道说，警方已经逮捕了三名犯罪嫌疑人。

• Pinyin: Xīnwén bàodào shuō, jǐngfāng yǐjīng dàibǔ le sān míng fànzuì xiányírén.
• English: The news report said that the police have already arrested three criminal suspects.

Cultural Notes (if applicable)

In Chinese media and official language, 逮捕 often appears in legal or criminal justice contexts. It sounds serious and formal. You may see it in news reports, police announcements, court-related discussions, and legal documents.

A useful distinction for learners:

• 抓: informal; can mean “catch,” “grab,” or “arrest” depending on context
• 抓住: to catch hold of; to seize
• 逮捕: formal/legal “to arrest”

For example, in casual speech someone might say 警察抓了他, meaning “The police caught/arrested him.” But in a formal news report, 警方逮捕了他 sounds more appropriate.

Conclusion

逮捕 means “to arrest” and is used in formal, legal, or police-related situations. Remember that it is stronger and more official than everyday words like 抓. A simple phrase to remember is 被逮捕, meaning “to be arrested.”