to catch
verbTo take hold of something so that it stops or cannot escape.
- pegar
Pegar is a broad everyday choice. Agarrar emphasizes a firm grip; catch a train is pegar um trem, a different use.
I caught the ball with both hands.
Peguei a bola com as duas mãos.
- agarrar
Agarrar emphasizes taking a firm hold. Pegar is a broad everyday translation of catch in many contexts.
She caught the ball before it fell to the ground.
Ela agarrou a bola antes que caísse no chão.
Agarrar emphasizes taking a firm hold. Pegar is a broad everyday translation of catch in many contexts.
to catch
verbTo capture someone or something that is moving or trying to escape.
- apanhar
Apanhar can mean catch, collect or get beaten. Context matters; pegar is often more neutral in everyday Brazil.
We managed to catch the cat that had escaped.
Conseguimos apanhar o gato que tinha fugido.
Apanhar can mean catch, collect or get beaten. Context matters; pegar is often more neutral in everyday Brazil.
Usage
Agarrar emphasizes taking a firm hold. Pegar is a broad everyday translation of catch in many contexts.
Conjugation
Explore the conjugation of catch.
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Selected English–Portuguese lexical relations adapted from OpenWordnet-PT/EN v1.1.0 (2026-04-07 data), by Alexandre Rademaker, Valeria de Paiva, Livy Real, Claudia Freitas, Hugo Gonçalo Oliveira, Alberto Simões and Fabricio Chalub: https://github.com/own-pt/openWordnet-PT/releases/tag/v1.1.0 . Portuguese data: CC BY 4.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ . Momolang selected senses, changed presentation, and independently authored the definitions, usage notes and examples using AI. Automatically checked in a separate same-agent linguistic reread; no independent human or native-speaker review. Underlying English WordNet notice: WordNet Release 3.0 This software and database is being provided to you, the LICENSEE, by Princeton University under the following license. By obtaining, using and/or copying this software and database, you agree that you have read, understood, and will comply with these terms and conditions.: Permission to use, copy, modify and distribute this software and database and its documentation for any purpose and without fee or royalty is hereby granted, provided that you agree to comply with the following copyright notice and statements, including the disclaimer, and that the same appear on ALL copies of the software, database and documentation, including modifications that you make for internal use or for distribution. WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved. THIS SOFTWARE AND DATABASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND PRINCETON UNIVERSITY MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED. BY WAY OF EXAMPLE, BUT NOT LIMITATION, PRINCETON UNIVERSITY MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES OF MERCHANT- ABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR THAT THE USE OF THE LICENSED SOFTWARE, DATABASE OR DOCUMENTATION WILL NOT INFRINGE ANY THIRD PARTY PATENTS, COPYRIGHTS, TRADEMARKS OR OTHER RIGHTS. The name of Princeton University or Princeton may not be used in advertising or publicity pertaining to distribution of the software and/or database. Title to copyright in this software, database and any associated documentation shall at all times remain with Princeton University and LICENSEE agrees to preserve same.