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verbverb

gripa

catch · seize · grip

Ta fast någon eller något med handen eller med makt.

Definition & meaning

The Swedish word gripa primarily means to seize, catch, or grab. It is a versatile verb used in several different contexts:

  1. Physical action: To take hold of something or someone firmly or suddenly. For example, grabbing a railing to avoid falling.
  2. Legal context: To arrest or take a person into custody. This is the standard term used when the police apprehend a suspect.
  3. Emotional impact: To affect someone deeply or to move someone emotionally. It describes a situation or story that "grips" or "touches" the heart.
  4. Taking action: It is often used in the figurative sense of seizing an opportunity (gripa tillfället) or resorting to a specific measure (gripa till en åtgärd).

Grammar & Word origin

Grammar: Gripa is a strong verb (class 1). Its principal parts are:

  • Infinitive: gripa
  • Present: griper
  • Past (Preterite): grep
  • Supine: gripit
  • Past participle: gripen (often used as an adjective meaning "moved/touched" or "arrested").

Word origin: The word stems from the Old Swedish gripa, which comes from the Proto-Germanic gripanan. it is closely related to the English word "grip" and the German "greifen".

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms:

  • Physical/General: ta , fånga , grabba , fatta .
  • Legal: arrestera , fängsla , anhålla , omhänderta .
  • Emotional: röra , engagera , fascinera .

Antonyms:

  • släppa (to let go / release).
  • frita (to set free / liberate).
  • missa (to miss / fail to catch).

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Examples

Flera personer hjälper till att gripa tjuven.verb

Several people are helping to catch the thief.

Två väktare måste gripa tjuven på tåget.verb

Two guards had to seize the thief on the train.

Det sorgliga ödet lyckades verkligen gripa tag i publiken under föreställningen.verb

The sad fate really managed to grip the audience during the performance.

Det kändes som om händelsen verkligen lyckades gripa tag i oss alla.verb

It felt as if the event really managed to grip all of us.

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