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道Nihongo Path
虜

虜·captive, prisoner of war

On-yomi
リョ
Kun-yomi
とりこ

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
捕虜ほりょprisoner of war
虜とりこcaptive, someone spellbound
捕虜収容所ほりょしゅうようじょprisoner-of-war camp
虜囚りょしゅうprisoner, captive

Example sentences

  1. 捕虜は国際法によって保護される。

    ほりょはこくさいほうによってほごされる。

    Prisoners of war are protected by international law.

  2. 彼女の歌声にすっかり虜になった。

    かのじょのうたごえにすっかりとりこになった。

    I was completely captivated by her singing.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • 〜の虜になる means to be enchanted by something, not literally imprisoned.
  • 捕虜 is ほりょ; the 虜 does not become りょう.

Memory aid

Picture it

Under the tiger's head 虍, a person bound up: taken alive by something stronger than you.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

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What does the kanji 虜 mean?