Definitions

dǎi (verb) to catch; to seize
dài (verb,particle) to arrest; to seize; until

Etymology phono-semantic

walk

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character 逮 is a phono-semantic compound with the movement radical 辶, indicating an action of pursuit or locomotion. The inner component 隶 provides the phonetic element and historically relates to servitude or seizing. Together, they convey the act of chasing down and physically apprehending someone, leading to its core meanings of catching, arresting, or seizing a person, often in law enforcement or pursuit contexts.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

警察住了小偷。

Jǐngchá dǎizhùle xiǎotōu.

The police caught the thief.

他试图住那只蝴蝶。

Tā shìtú dǎizhù nà zhī húdié.

He tried to catch that butterfly.

犯罪分子最终被捕了。

Fànzuì fènzǐ zuìzhōng bèi dàibǔle.

The criminal was finally arrested.

小猫到了一只老鼠。

Xiǎo māo dǎidàole yī zhī lǎoshǔ.

The kitten caught a mouse.

我好不容易才到这个机会。

Wǒ hǎobù róngyì cái dǎidào zhège jīhuì.

I finally managed to seize this opportunity.

警方迅速捕了嫌疑人。

Jǐngfāng xùnsù dàibǔle xiányírén.

The police quickly arrested the suspect.

你来得正好,个正着。

Nǐ lái de zhènghǎo, dǎi gè zhèngzháo.

You came at just the right time and caught them red-handed.

快跑,我们还能上那趟火车。

Kuài pǎo, wǒmen hái néng dǎi shàng nà tàng huǒchē.

Run fast, we can still catch that train.