Translation and Meaning of: 奪う - ubau

The Japanese word 奪う (うばう, ubau) carries an intense weight in its meaning: to snatch, steal, take by force. If you've ever watched a Japanese drama or read an action manga, you've probably encountered this verb in scenes of conflict or tension. But what lies behind this expressive kanji? In this article, we will explore the etymology, the pictogram, the everyday usage, and even tips for memorizing this word effectively. If you study Japanese, you will discover here how 奪う appears in real contexts and why it is so striking in the language.

In addition to the literal meaning, there are interesting details about this word. For example, did you know that the kanji 奪 is composed of elements that suggest a violent action? And that, in Japan, it can be used for both physical situations (like stealing an object) and metaphorical ones (like "stealing someone's attention")? If you use Anki or another spaced repetition system, you'll find practical sentences to reinforce this vocabulary. Let's dive into it!

Etymology and Pictogram: What Does 奪う Hide?

The kanji 奪 is a masterpiece of Japanese writing when it comes to conveying action. It is formed by the combination of two radicals: 大 (which means "big" or "strong") and 隹 (an ancient radical related to birds). Together, they create the idea of "grabbing tightly," almost like a falcon snatching its prey. It's no wonder that this character appears in words like 強奪 (gōdatsu, "armed robbery") or 奪回 (dakkai, "recover something by force").

In ancient China, where kanji originated, 奪 was already used in legal contexts to describe the illegal appropriation of property. Over time, Japan incorporated this ideogram and expanded its use to less literal situations. Today, you might hear 奪う in discussions about politics ("the party stole the victory") or even in casual conversations ("that movie stole my sleep"). The visual strength of the kanji helps to remember its meaning—those who see 奪 hardly forget that it relates to taking something abruptly.

Everyday Lies: When Do Japanese People Use 奪う?

Unlike the verb 盗む (nusumu, "to steal quietly"), 奪う implies violence or pressure. Imagine a classic samurai scene: when a warrior takes away the sword from the enemy, there is a direct confrontation. In real life, the term appears in news about robberies ("The thief snatched the victim's bag" – 被害者のバッグを奪った), but also in emotional contexts. A popular song might say "あなたの心を奪いたい" (I want to steal your heart), showing how the Japanese language lends drama even to romance.

Interestingly, 奪う is often searched on Google alongside expressions like "difference between 奪う and 取る" or "奪う conjugation." This reveals that many students get confused with similar verbs. A practical tip? Think of 奪う as an act that leaves the other person with no choice—whether it's a thief taking your wallet or a boss monopolizing the meeting. Even in sports, when a team "steals" the ball aggressively, the commentator might shout: ボールを奪った！

Tips for Memorizing and Curiosities

To remember 奪う, how about associating it with the sound of "wow!" in Portuguese? When something is snatched from you, the natural reaction is a "wow!" of surprise. Another trick is to observe that the kanji looks like someone holding an object (the 大) while escaping (the 隹). If you're a fan of pop culture, notice how animes like "Attack on Titan" use this verb in battle scenes—Eren shouting "自由を奪うな！" (Don't take my freedom!) is a perfect example.

A little-known curiosity: 奪う appears in ancient Japanese proverbs, such as "虎の子を奪う" (to rob a tiger's cub), which means to take a huge risk. And be careful with false cognates! While in Portuguese "raptar" resembles "to steal," in Japanese 拉致 (rachi) is the correct term for kidnapping. Mastering 奪う is a step towards understanding the wealth of action verbs in Japan—and who knows, it might help you avoid someone stealing your spot on the crowded train!

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Verb conjugation of 奪う

奪う - Base shape, dictionary
奪いました - simple past
奪います - simple present
奪っている - Present Continuous
奪ったら - conditional

Synonyms and similar words

奪取する (Dasshu suru) - Take by force, steal.
横取りする (Yokodori suru) - To take something from someone by force or in a dishonest way.
強奪する (Gōdatsu suru) - Robbery with violence.
略奪する (Ryaku-datsu suru) - Looting, mass theft, especially in situations of conflict.
盗む (Nusumu) - Steal, loot.
取り上げる (Toriageru) - Take from someone, to take something from someone.
奪い取る (Ubai toru) - To take something by force, to usurp.
携帯する (Keitai suru) - Carry, take something with you (not necessarily in a theft context).
持ち去る (Mochisaru) - Taking away something that doesn't belong to you.
持ち逃げする (Mochinige suru) - To flee taking something that is not yours, generally in a context of dishonesty.
捕獲する (Hokaku suru) - Capture.
独り占めする (Hitori jime suru) - To enjoy something just for yourself, to monopolize.
乗っ取る (Nottoru) - Take control of something, hijack (e.g., a vehicle).
かすめ取る (Kasume toru) - Steal stealthily, pilfer.
くすねる (Kusuneru) - Theft, petty theft (usually on a small scale).
さらう (Sarau) - Kidnapping, taking someone by force.
とらえる (Toraeru) - Capture, take something that was being controlled.
ひったくる (Hittakuru) - Steal something quickly, inattentively.
ひったくり取る (Hittakuri toru) - Steal quickly, usually in a robbery.
ひったくり奪う (Hittakuri ubau) - Take something quickly and violently, assault.
ひったくり横取りする (Hittakuri yokodori suru) - Stealing in a reckless and swift manner.
ひったくり強奪する (Hittakuri gōdatsu suru) - Robbery with violence in a quick manner.
ひったくり略奪する (Hittakuri ryaku-datsu suru) - Mass robberies carried out quickly and violently.
ひったくり盗む (Hittakuri nusumu) - Steal quickly, snatch something from someone's hands.