attraper
/a.tʁa.pe/
The English phrase 'catch' can be translated into French as attraper or prendre depending on the context.
Meaning: to capture or snare (verb)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA |
|---|---|
| attraper | /a.tʁa.pe/ |
| prendre | /pʁɑ̃.dʁə/ |
attraper is a common and versatile verb used for both physical and metaphorical senses of 'catch'. If you are catching a moving object or someone through physical contact, use attraper. For more controlled or deliberate capture, such as capturing a person or an animal, the verb capturer is used. In contexts where 'catch' means to board or use public transportation, use prendre, which primarily means 'to take'.
Which one should you use?
Use attraper when the sense of catching involves physical contact or capturing a moving object, such as a ball or a thief. In contrast, use prendre when 'catching' refers to boarding or using public transportation like a bus, train or plane.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/a.tʁa.pe/ (3 syllables)
Did you know?
- The French verb prendre is a direct relative of the English word 'prehend', which you can still see in the word 'apprehend', meaning to seize or arrest.
- In many contexts, using attraper implies a sense of suddenness or a struggle, whereas prendre implies a more routine or intentional action.
- French speakers use attraper for catching a ball, but when 'catching' a thief in a legal sense, they frequently switch to appréhender for a more formal tone.
Examples in context
- J'ai un train à prendre.I have a train to catch.This sentence shows how to use prendre when talking about a train.Tatoeba #7553050 by Aiji, translation #2358837 by CK
- Il a un avion à prendre.He has a plane to catch.This sentence shows how to use prendre when talking about a plane.Tatoeba #12197053 by lbdx, translation #8565235 by Amastan
- Tu vas attraper la mort !You'll catch your death of cold!This sentence shows the metaphorical use of attraper regarding catching a cold.Tatoeba #10665224 by AutoBot, translation #10665222 by AutoBot
- Je l'ai attrapé au vol.I caught it in mid-air.
- Je dois prendre le train.I need to catch the train.
- Nous avons capturé le voleur.We caught the thief.
- Il a réussi à attraper le ballon.He managed to catch the ball.
- Attention! Tu vas te faire choper par la police.Watch out! You're going to get caught by the police.
- 231 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Léa and Nathan are playing with a ball in a park.
- LéaAttrape la balle, Nathan !Catch the ball, Nathan!
- NathanJe vais l'attraper.I am going to catch it.
- LéaElle va trop vite pour toi.It is going too fast for you.
- NathanNon, je l'ai attrapée !No, I caught it!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “catch” translations and entries attraper, prendre, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries attraper, prendre, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
