Definitions

prisoner of war; to capture; to take prisoner; (old) northern barbarian; slave

Etymology

Simplified form of . Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character '虏', historically represented by the traditional form '虜', etymologically combines the element '虍', conveying a sense of tiger-like ferocity or violence, with '男' meaning man, thus constructing a notion of men captured in warfare or held as prisoners. Its initial meaning centered specifically on war captives, but over time it expanded to function as a verb meaning to capture or seize, and later acquired pejorative overtones when used in historical contexts to refer to ethnic groups considered outsiders or adversaries. The structural composition of the traditional character, emphasizing forceful domination, has consistently informed its core semantic association with capture and subjugation across various periods of use.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Spring and Autumn (~500 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Jin dynasty (266-316 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我们俘了一个敌人。

Wǒmen fúlǔ le yīgè dírén.

We captured an enemy.

他们在战斗中被俘了。

Tāmen zài zhàndòu zhōng bèi fúlǔ le.

They were captured in battle.

们被关在营地里。

Fúlǔ men bèi guān zài yíngdì lǐ.

The captives are imprisoned in the camp.

历史书中记载了那次掠事件。

Lìshǐ shū zhōng jìzǎi le nà cì lǔlüè shìjiàn.

The history book records that plundering event.

为了解救被的同胞,他们策划了一次行动。

Wèile jiějiù bèi lǔ de tóngbāo, tāmen cèhuà le yī cì xíngdòng.

In order to rescue the captured compatriots, they planned an operation.

虽然敌人走了粮食,但村民们没有屈服。

Suīrán dírén lǔ zǒu le liángshí, dàn cūnmín men méiyǒu qūfú.

Although the enemy captured the food, the villagers did not yield.

在商业竞争中,俘客户的心是关键。

Zài shāngyè jìngzhēng zhōng, fúlǔ kèhù de xīn shì guānjiàn.

In business competition, capturing the hearts of customers is key.

通过对获文件的解密,情报部门获得了重要信息。

Tōngguò duì lǔhuò wénjiàn de jiěmì, qíngbào bùmén huòdé le zhòngyào xìnxī.

By decrypting the captured documents, the intelligence department obtained important information.