How to Say "to capture" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “to capture” is “capturar” — use this for physically seizing a person, animal, or object, or for recording data/images like a screenshot.
capturar
kap-too-RARkap.tuˈɾaɾ
Examples
La policía logró capturar al ladrón después de una persecución.
The police managed to capture the thief after a chase.
El equipo de científicos fue a la selva para capturar ranas raras.
The team of scientists went to the jungle to catch rare frogs.
Necesito capturar la pantalla para mostrarte el error.
I need to capture the screen (take a screenshot) to show you the error.
El sistema está diseñado para capturar automáticamente la información de cada usuario.
The system is designed to automatically capture the information of every user.
Direct Object Placement
Like many Spanish verbs, you can attach the direct object pronoun (lo, la, los, las) directly to the end of 'capturar' when it's in the infinitive: 'Quieren capturarlo' (They want to capture him).
Figurative Objects
In this sense, 'capturar' often takes abstract nouns as its object—things like 'atención' (attention), 'imaginación' (imagination), or 'esencia' (essence).
Using 'Tomar' for Screenshots
Mistake: “Tomar una pantalla.”
Correction: Although 'tomar' means 'to take,' in computing contexts, 'capturar la pantalla' or the noun 'pantallazo' are much more common for screenshots.
captar
kap-TARkapˈtaɾ
Examples
La antena no logra captar la señal de televisión.
The antenna can't manage to pick up the TV signal.
El micrófono captó todos los ruidos de la calle.
The microphone picked up all the noises from the street.
Esta cámara capta imágenes con mucha luz.
This camera captures images with a lot of light.
Using 'captar' with technology
When talking about electronics picking up waves or signals, always use 'captar'. It's the standard word for sensors and receivers.
Captar vs. Tomar
Mistake: “Tomar la señal.”
Correction: Captar la señal. While 'tomar' means 'to take,' 'captar' specifically describes receiving invisible signals or energy.
apresar
a-pre-SARa.pɾeˈsaɾ
Examples
La policía logró apresar al fugitivo después de una larga persecución.
The police managed to capture the fugitive after a long chase.
Fueron apresados por cruzar la frontera sin documentos.
They were arrested for crossing the border without documents.
El pirata fue apresado y llevado ante la justicia.
The pirate was captured and brought to justice.
The Personal 'A'
When you are talking about capturing a person, you must use the word 'a' before the name or noun. For example: 'Apresaron a Juan' (They captured Juan).
Regular AR Pattern
This verb follows the standard rules for verbs ending in -ar. If you know how to conjugate 'hablar', you know how to conjugate 'apresar'!
Missing the 'a'
Mistake: “La policía apresó el ladrón.”
Correction: La policía apresó al ladrón (a + el = al). Remember to use 'a' when the action happens to a specific person.
fotografiar
fo-to-gra-fyarfotoɣɾaˈfjaɾ
Examples
Quiero fotografiar el amanecer mañana.
I want to photograph the sunrise tomorrow.
Él fotografió a los pájaros en el parque.
He photographed the birds in the park.
La cámara es capaz de fotografiar objetos a larga distancia.
The camera is capable of photographing objects at a long distance.
The Stress on the 'i'
Even though it is an -ar verb, when you conjugate it in the present, the letter 'i' gets an accent mark (fotografío) to make sure you pronounce it clearly as a separate sound.
Using the Personal 'a'
If you are photographing a specific person, you must use 'a' before their name. For example: 'Fotografié a María'.
Missing the Accent
Mistake: “Yo fotografio la casa.”
Correction: Yo fotografío la casa. (Don't forget the accent mark on the 'i' in the present tense!)
plasmar
plah-SMAHRplazˈmaɾ
Examples
La fotografía plasma la esencia de la ciudad.
The photograph captures the essence of the city.
El informe plasma la crisis actual de la empresa.
The report reflects the current crisis of the company.
A 'Stronger' Word for Capture
While 'capturar' is usually for catching a thief or taking a photo, 'plasmar' implies that the final result shows the spirit or depth of the subject.
robar
roh-BAHRroˈβaɾ
Examples
Ella se robó el show con su actuación.
She stole the show with her performance.
El corredor intentó robar la segunda base.
The runner tried to steal second base.
Antes de irse, él me robó un beso rápido.
Before leaving, he quickly stole a kiss from me.
Reflexive Use: Robarse
When used to mean 'steal the show' or 'monopolize attention,' 'robar' is often used with 'se' (robarse), indicating the person actively took the focus for themselves.
Capturar vs. Captar
Related Translations
Learn Spanish with Inklingo
Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.