把握する
はあくする·haaku suru
Meaning
to grasp; to understand fully; to comprehend; to get a handle on
Nuance & Usage
把握する means to fully grasp or understand a situation, fact, or condition — often with a sense of control and awareness. 状況を把握する (to grasp the situation), 全体像を把握する (to grasp the big picture), 問題点を把握する (to identify the issues) are typical uses in business and formal contexts. The kanji 把握 literally means "to grip with the hand" (把 = grasp, 握 = grip), reflecting the idea of firmly holding something in one's understanding. It is more formal and comprehensive than simply 分かる.
Common Mistakes
把握する is frequently confused with 理解する (rikai suru — to understand) and 分かる (wakaru — to understand/know). The key difference: 把握する implies a thorough, comprehensive understanding with a sense of control — like fully mapping out a situation. 理解する is about conceptual understanding. 分かる is casual and general. 把握する is mostly used in formal, professional, or analytical contexts — it sounds unnatural in casual speech. Also, don't forget the は particle sound in は・あ・く is はあく (two separate morae).
Example Sentences (3)
まず現状をしっかり把握してから対策を考えましょう。
まずげんじょうをしっかりはあくしてからたいさくをかんがえましょう。
Let's first thoroughly grasp the current situation before thinking about measures.
プロジェクトの全体像を把握していないと、判断を誤ることがある。
ぷろじぇくとのぜんたいぞうをはあくしていないと、はんだんをあやまることがある。
If you don't grasp the overall picture of the project, you may make wrong judgments.
担当者は顧客のニーズを把握したうえで提案を作成した。
たんとうしゃはこきゃくのにーずをはあくしたうえでていあんをさくせいした。
The person in charge created the proposal after fully understanding the customer's needs.
Quick Quiz
Quick Quiz
N24 questionsTest your knowledge of 把握する with 4 different question types.
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