To catch or capture someone or something (including arresting a person); to seize and restrain so they cannot escape.
昨夜、駅前で泥棒を捕まえて警察に渡した。
Last night I caught a thief in front of the station and handed him over to the police.
警官が容疑者を捕まえ、現行犯逮捕した。
The officer captured the suspect and arrested him red-handed.
動物園の飼育員が逃げた猿を捕まえた。
A zookeeper caught the monkey that had escaped.
To grab, clutch, or grasp something firmly with the hand or arms.
満員電車でつり革をしっかり捕まえていた。
On the crowded train I held on tightly to the strap.
子供が急に走り出したので、母親が腕を掴まえて止めた。
The child suddenly ran off, so the mother grabbed his arm to stop him.
彼は帽子を風に飛ばされないようにしっかり捕まえた。
He held his hat tightly so the wind wouldn't blow it away.
To catch or stop someone (e.g., to hail a taxi, call for a waiter, or stop a stranger in the street); to hold someone back or detain.
通りで友達を捕まえて、今夜の予定を聞いた。
I caught up with a friend on the street and asked about plans for tonight.
雨が降り出したのでタクシーを捕まえて帰った。
It started raining, so I hailed a taxi and went home.
彼女は重要な話をするために同僚を捕まえてオフィスに呼んだ。
She caught a colleague to talk about something important and called him into the office.
Used in phrases like '〜をつかまえて' meaning 'directed at/aimed at someone' (e.g., criticizing or making a comment aimed at someone).
彼を捕まえて文句ばかり言うのはやめなさい。
Stop going around complaining at him all the time.
人の失敗を捕まえてからかうのは失礼だ。
It's rude to pick on someone for their mistakes.