dàibǔ: 逮捕 - To Arrest, Apprehend

• Keywords: dàibǔ, daibu, 逮捕, Chinese word for arrest, how to say arrest in Chinese, arrested in China, daibu meaning, 逮捕 meaning, Chinese legal terms, 拘留 vs 逮捕, 抓捕
• Summary: Learn the formal Chinese word for “to arrest” – 逮捕 (dàibǔ). This comprehensive guide explores its precise legal meaning, cultural significance within the Chinese justice system, and practical usage in news and official contexts. Understand the crucial difference between being arrested (逮捕) and detained (拘留) with clear examples, helping you master a key term for understanding modern China.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): dàibǔ
• Part of Speech: Verb
• HSK Level: HSK 6
• Concise Definition: To formally arrest or apprehend a person in accordance with legal procedure.
• In a Nutshell: 逮捕 (dàibǔ) is the official, serious, and legal term for an arrest carried out by authorities like the police. This isn't just about “catching” someone; it signifies the start of a formal legal process. Think of it as the word you would see on a legal warrant or in a serious news report, not a word you'd use casually.

• 逮 (dài): This character means “to catch” or “to seize.” It combines the radical 辶 (chuò), which signifies “walking” or “movement,” with a phonetic component. You can visualize it as the act of pursuing and then catching someone.
• 捕 (bǔ): This character also means “to catch” or “to capture.” It features the “hand” radical 扌 (a variation of 手, shǒu) on the left, clearly indicating a physical action of grabbing or seizing.
• Together, 逮 (dài - to pursue) and 捕 (bǔ - to seize with hands) create 逮捕 (dàibǔ), a powerful and formal compound word that emphasizes the official, legally sanctioned act of taking a suspect into custody.

In Chinese culture, and specifically within its legal framework, the term 逮捕 (dàibǔ) carries significant weight. It is a precise legal action, distinct from more preliminary measures. The most important cultural and legal distinction for a learner to grasp is between 逮捕 (dàibǔ) and 拘留 (jūliú - detention). In the American/Western context, people might casually use “arrested” and “detained” interchangeably. In China, the distinction is critical:

• 拘留 (jūliú): This is typically a preliminary detention, either administrative (for minor offenses) or criminal (for investigation). Police can carry this out for a limited period to investigate a suspicion. It does not necessarily mean formal charges will be filed.
• 逮捕 (dàibǔ): This is a formal arrest. It happens after a preliminary investigation and requires official approval from the state prosecutor's office (检察院 - jiǎncháyuàn). A formal arrest signifies that the state has found sufficient evidence to formally charge the individual and proceed toward a trial.

Therefore, hearing that someone has been 逮捕 (dàibǔ) is a much more serious development than hearing they have been 拘留 (jūliú). This reflects a legal system with structured, sequential steps, and understanding this term is key to interpreting news about the Chinese justice system correctly.

You will almost exclusively encounter 逮捕 (dàibǔ) in formal contexts. It is not a conversational word.

1. – In the News and Media —

News reports about crime and legal cases are the most common place you'll see 逮捕. Journalists use it to report on official police actions and legal proceedings. Its use signals that the story is about a serious criminal matter.

1. – Legal Context —

In any legal document, police statement, or court proceeding, 逮捕 is the standard, official term. An arrest warrant is a 逮捕令 (dàibǔlìng).

1. – Connotation and Formality —

• Formality: Very High.
• Connotation: Neutral-to-Negative. It is a neutral descriptor of a legal action, but the situation it describes (being arrested) is inherently negative for the subject. You would never use it in a lighthearted or casual way.

• Example 1:
  • 警察逮捕了那名犯罪嫌疑人。
  • Pinyin: Jǐngchá dàibǔ le nà míng fànzuì xiányírén.
  • English: The police arrested that criminal suspect.
  • Analysis: A standard, textbook example showing the basic structure: Subject (police) + 逮捕 + Object (suspect).
• Example 2:
  • 他因涉嫌盗窃而被逮捕。
  • Pinyin: Tā yīn shèxián dàoqiè ér bèi dàibǔ.
  • English: He was arrested on suspicion of theft.
  • Analysis: This shows the passive voice using 被 (bèi) and the reason for the arrest using 因 (yīn… on account of…). This is a very common structure in news reports.
• Example 3:
  • 检察院已经正式批准逮捕这名官员。
  • Pinyin: Jiǎncháyuàn yǐjīng zhèngshì pīzhǔn dàibǔ zhè míng guānyuán.
  • English: The procuratorate has already formally approved the arrest of this official.
  • Analysis: This sentence highlights the legal process. The 检察院 (procuratorate) must 批准 (pīzhǔn - approve) the 逮捕 (arrest). Here, 逮捕 functions more like a noun (“the arrest”).
• Example 4:
  • 警方出示逮捕令后，将他带走了。
  • Pinyin: Jǐngfāng chūshì dàibǔlìng hòu, jiāng tā dàizǒu le.
  • English: After showing the arrest warrant, the police took him away.
  • Analysis: Introduces the related term 逮捕令 (dàibǔlìng), an arrest warrant.
• Example 5:
  • 这起案件的主要嫌疑人已于昨日被逮捕归案。
  • Pinyin: Zhè qǐ ànjiàn de zhǔyào xiányírén yǐ yú zuórì bèi dàibǔ guī'àn.
  • English: The main suspect in this case was arrested and brought to justice yesterday.
  • Analysis: 逮捕归案 (dàibǔ guī'àn) is a common four-character phrase meaning “to be arrested and brought to justice.” It's very formal and common in written news.
• Example 6:
  • 全世界的新闻都在报道他被逮捕的消息。
  • Pinyin: Quán shìjiè de xīnwén dōu zài bàodào tā bèi dàibǔ de xiāoxi.
  • English: News outlets all over the world are reporting the news of his arrest.
  • Analysis: Shows how the event of an “arrest” becomes “news” (消息). Again, note the use of the passive marker 被 (bèi).
• Example 7:
  • 如果你拒绝合作，我们有权逮捕你。
  • Pinyin: Rúguǒ nǐ jùjué hézuò, wǒmen yǒu quán dàibǔ nǐ.
  • English: If you refuse to cooperate, we have the right to arrest you.
  • Analysis: A sentence you might hear in a crime movie or TV show, said by a police officer. 有权 (yǒu quán) means “to have the right/authority to.”
• Example 8:
  • 他被逮捕时，没有进行任何反抗。
  • Pinyin: Tā bèi dàibǔ shí, méiyǒu jìnxíng rènhé fǎnkàng.
  • English: When he was arrested, he didn't put up any resistance.
  • Analysis: The structure “verb + 时 (shí)” means “when…”. This describes the moment of the arrest.
• Example 9:
  • 对他的逮捕是完全合法的。
  • Pinyin: Duì tā de dàibǔ shì wánquán héfǎ de.
  • English: His arrest was completely legal.
  • Analysis: Here, 逮捕 is clearly used as a noun. 对他的逮捕 (duì tā de dàibǔ) means “the arrest of him” or “his arrest”.
• Example 10:
  • 在被逮捕之前，他已经逃亡了好几个月。
  • Pinyin: Zài bèi dàibǔ zhīqián, tā yǐjīng táowáng le hǎo jǐ ge yuè.
  • English: Before being arrested, he had been on the run for several months.
  • Analysis: The “在…之前 (zài…zhīqián)” structure means “before…”. This sentence provides context leading up to the arrest.

The most common mistake for English speakers is using 逮捕 (dàibǔ) in casual situations where “to catch” would be more appropriate.

• 逮捕 (dàibǔ) vs. 抓 (zhuā):
  • 逮捕 (dàibǔ) is a formal, legal arrest.
  • 抓 (zhuā) means “to grab,” “to clutch,” or more colloquially, “to catch.” It is a much broader and more informal term. Police can 抓 (zhuā) a thief, but the official report will say they 逮捕 (dàibǔ) the suspect.
• Incorrect Usage: 我妈妈逮捕了我在偷吃饼干。 (Wǒ māma dàibǔ le wǒ zài tōuchī bǐnggān.)
• Why it's wrong: This literally means “My mom formally arrested me for secretly eating cookies.” It sounds absurd and comical because 逮捕 implies a legal action with police and warrants.
• Correct Usage: 我妈妈抓到我偷吃饼干了。 (Wǒ māma zhuādào wǒ tōuchī bǐnggān le.) - “My mom caught me stealing cookies.”
• Forgetting the 逮捕 (dàibǔ) vs. 拘留 (jūliú) distinction:
  • Remember: 拘留 (jūliú) is temporary detention for investigation. 逮捕 (dàibǔ) is a formal arrest approved by a prosecutor, indicating the case is moving forward. Using them interchangeably when discussing Chinese legal matters is a significant factual error.

• 拘留 (jūliú) - Detention; a temporary holding for investigation, legally distinct from and less severe than a formal arrest.
• 抓捕 (zhuābǔ) - To arrest/capture; a verb that often emphasizes the physical act of catching and arresting someone, slightly less formal than 逮捕.
• 逮捕令 (dàibǔlìng) - Arrest warrant; the legal document authorizing an arrest.
• 嫌疑犯 (xiányífàn) - A criminal suspect; the person who is the subject of an arrest.
• 罪犯 (zuìfàn) - A criminal; a convict. Someone who has been found guilty, a stage beyond being a suspect.
• 警察 (jǐngchá) - Police; the authority that carries out arrests.
• 检察院 (jiǎncháyuàn) - Procuratorate; the state prosecutor's office that must approve a formal 逮捕.
• 释放 (shìfàng) - To release, to set free; the antonym of being arrested or imprisoned.
• 审判 (shěnpàn) - Trial; to put someone on trial, the legal process that follows an arrest.
• 绑架 (bǎngjià) - To kidnap; an illegal seizure of a person by a non-authority, contrasted with the legal seizure of 逮捕.