Translation and Meaning of: 捕虜 - horyo

The Japanese word 「捕虜」 (horyo) refers to "prisoner of war." Etymologically, it is made up of two kanji: 「捕」 (ho), which means "to capture" or "to imprison," and 「虜」 (ryo), which refers to "prisoner" or "hostage." Together, these characters convey the idea of a person who has been captured and imprisoned, usually in the context of conflict or war.

The origin of this expression is deeply rooted in military history and warfare practices. During periods of conflict, such as the Sino-Japanese Wars and World War II, the term 「捕虜」 became widely used to describe those captured by the enemy. The tradition of capturing enemy soldiers and holding them as prisoners is an ancient practice, and in Japan, this practice was described through the word 「捕虜」, which carried a humanitarian meaning by regulating the treatment of these individuals under international codes.

Furthermore, the word 「捕虜」 has variations of use in legal and historical contexts to describe the capture and detention of individuals in situations that are not necessarily wartime. However, it is the military use that predominates. In times of war, discussing the conditions and rights of prisoners of war has become an important topic in international debates, reflecting not only in the Japanese language but also in global legislation and practice. Thus, 「捕虜」 goes beyond its simple translation and becomes a concept associated with human rights, ethics in conflict, and international agreements.

In contemporary culture, the term still resonates, especially in discussions about military history and international relations. Movies, books, and documentaries often use 「捕虜」 when dealing with stories from World War II, for instance. Even though it may seem like a technical word restricted to a specific vocabulary, it is embedded in a significant human context that transcends mere linguistic translation, highlighting the importance of rights and dignity in times of conflict.

Vocabulary

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Synonyms and similar words

• 俘虜 (Horyo) - Prisoner of war
• 囚人 (Shuujin) - Prisoner, detained (in a general way)
• 捕囚 (Hoshuu) - Capture of prisoner; it can also be used in more general contexts of detention.

捕虜

Romaji: horyo
Kana: ほりょ
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n1

Translation / Meaning: prisoner of war)

Meaning in English: prisoner (of war)

Definition: Prisoner of war (horyo): refers to an enemy soldier or person captured during a war.