Definitions

to take prisoner; prisoner of war

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound. Originally written as , which depicts a hand () capturing a child ().

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "俘" is structured as a phono-semantic compound, combining the human radical "亻" to denote its association with people and the component "孚" which primarily serves a phonetic function. Etymologically, this character originated from the context of warfare, specifically referring to the act of capturing persons and thus denoting prisoners of war. Over time, its meaning expanded to encompass any captured or detained individual, while still carrying connotations of seizure and confinement. The traditional form of "俘" remains unchanged in structure, utilizing the same components as the simplified version.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他成了虏。

Tā chéng le fúlǔ.

He became a captive.

军队获了敌人。

Jūnduì fúhuò le dírén.

The army captured the enemy.

这场战斗中有许多虏。

Zhè chǎng zhàndòu zhōng yǒu xǔduō fúlǔ.

There are many captives in this battle.

他被后受到了优待。

Tā bèi fú hòu shòudào le yōudài.

After being captured, he received good treatment.

警方成功获了逃犯。

Jǐngfāng chénggōng fúhuò le táofàn.

The police successfully captured the fugitive.

为了获取情报,他们虏了间谍。

Wèile huòqǔ qíngbào, tāmen fúlǔ le jiàndié.

In order to obtain intelligence, they captured the spy.

如果被,士兵应该保持沉默。

Rúguǒ bèi fú, shìbīng yīnggāi bǎochí chénmò.

If captured, soldiers should remain silent.

在历史上,许多战争虏最终被释放回国。

Zài lìshǐ shàng, xǔduō zhànzhēng fúlǔ zuìzhōng bèi shìfàng huí guó.

In history, many war captives were eventually released and returned to their country.