> He took her by the upper parts of her arms.

This is not very natural. Nor is it a good match for the Russian, which means literally "He took her by the arm, above the elbow" (which also seems a bit unnatural). Note, by the way, that Russian "рука" can mean either "arm" or "hand", though here it must be "arm".

A more natural sentence would be "He took her by the upper arm" or simply "He took her by the arm" (without caring about which part of the arm).

What does the Japanese mean?

@small_snow @bunbuku @Pfirsichbaeumchen @CK @marafon

The Russian is not very natural but still possible. However, it doesn't match the English and the Japanese.

I think, in Russian it would be "Он взял её за плечи".
https://s1.babiki.ru/uploads/im.../22/3c356f.jpg

The Russian плечи could mean either "upper arms" or "shoulders" in English, and even in English, especially if there's no need to be extremely precise, taking someone by the shoulders could overlap with taking them by the upper arms. Would the Japanese match "He took her by the shoulders"?

> Would the Japanese match "He took her by the shoulders"?
No. Japanese sentence means this one(, not the shoulders):
https://s1.babiki.ru/uploads/im.../22/3c356f.jpg

That makes it very clear, @small_snow. Thanks!

I think I'm going to change the English to "He took her by the upper arms."

I'll unlink the Russian.

Thanks, @marafon.

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