to catch / glimpse
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to catch a glimpse
To perceive, see, or obtain something only briefly, fleetingly, and often with effort.
Durch die Menschenmenge konnte ich nur einen kurzen Blick auf den Star erhaschen.
Through the crowd, I could only catch a brief glimpse of the star.
'Erhaschen' (to catch/catch a glimpse) is an inseparable verb. It is derived from 'haschen', an old word for 'fangen' (to catch). The prefix 'er-' emphasizes the success of the action: one has successfully caught something, but often only with effort and for a brief moment.
Er versuchte, ein paar Worte des Gesprächs am Nebentisch zu erhaschen.
He tried to catch a few words of the conversation at the neighboring table.
The word 'erhaschen' (to catch/catch a glimpse) is not part of everyday colloquial speech. It has a more elevated or literary sound and is used for vivid description.
In der Dämmerung konnte sie einen Schatten durch den Garten huschen sehen und erhaschte nur einen flüchtigen Blick.
In the twilight, she could see a shadow darting through the garden and caught only a fleeting glimpse.
'Erhaschen' (to catch a glimpse) is most often used for sensory perceptions that are only brief and fleeting. A very fixed expression is 'einen Blick erhaschen' (to catch a glimpse). Other typical objects are 'ein Lächeln' (a smile), 'ein Wort' (a word), or 'ein Geräusch' (a sound).
Ich hoffte, während der Konferenz ein Lächeln von ihr zu erhaschen.
I hoped to catch a smile from her during the conference.
You can recognize the rarer, literal meaning 'etwas fangen' (to catch something) from the object. If it is a physical object that is grabbed quickly (e.g., a ball), this meaning is intended. Most of the time, however, it is about fleeting perceptions.
Die Katze konnte die schnelle Maus gerade noch erhaschen.
The cat was just barely able to catch the quick mouse.
to grab / take effect
'greifen' and 'erhaschen' can both have to do with getting or grasping something. 'greifen' is the normal word when you take or grasp something with your hand. 'erhaschen' means that you get or perceive something only briefly, fleetingly, or with effort, for example a glance or a moment. In the meaning 'to catch quickly', 'erhaschen' sounds rather rare or literary. Learners may confuse the words because both can express a quick movement. In everyday language, you usually say 'greifen' when it is really about the hand. 'Erhaschen' fits better when something is only possible briefly.
Im Supermarkt erhascht sie einen kurzen Blick auf ihre alte Nachbarin.
In the supermarket, she catches a brief glimpse of her old neighbor.
Beim Training greifen die Gäste nach den Wasserflaschen.
During training, the guests reach for the water bottles.