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俘虏 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
俘虏fúlǔcaptiveHSK 7, n, rank #7493, Hard
fúlǔ(fu2lu3) T2
  1. 1captive
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March 24, 2026
俘虏(俘虜)fúlǔ(fu2lu3)

俘虏 (fú lǔ) refers to a captive, particularly in a military or conflict context. It describes someone who has been captured by an opposing force, often during war or battle. This term can convey a sense of vulnerability and loss of freedom.

Frequency#7493DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese history, the concept of captives has been significant, particularly during dynastic wars and conflicts. The term 俘虏 is often used in historical literature to describe the fate of soldiers and the moral implications of warfare.

Memory Tip

Imagine a 'fool' (sounds like 'fu') who is 'captured' (虏) by a band of pirates. The image of being trapped in a pirate ship helps you remember that 俘虏 means captive, and the pronunciation reinforces the connection.

Meanings of 俘虏

fúlǔ(fu2lu3)
1captive
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

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About 俘虏

俘虏Simplified
俘虜Traditional
Strokes
Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#7493Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2

Podcast: 俘虏

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Podcast: 俘虏

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AI Study Notes for 俘虏

Quick Contrast

俘虏 (captive) vs 战俘 (prisoner of war) — use 俘虏 for general captives, while 战俘 specifically refers to military personnel captured during war.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a 'fool' (sounds like 'fu') who is 'captured' (虏) by a band of pirates. The image of being trapped in a pirate ship helps you remember that 俘虏 means captive, and the pronunciation reinforces the connection.

Usage Notes

Be careful with the tone when pronouncing 俘虏, as mispronouncing it can lead to confusion with similar-sounding words. This term is often used in formal discussions about war and military history, and is not typically used in casual conversation.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 6 word, 俘虏 connects with other military-related vocabulary. Students should focus on understanding its usage in historical texts and discussions about conflicts to grasp its full significance.

Cultural Note

In Chinese history, the concept of captives has been significant, particularly during dynastic wars and conflicts. The term 俘虏 is often used in historical literature to describe the fate of soldiers and the moral implications of warfare.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 俘虏 with 监禁 (jiān jìn, imprisonment), using them interchangeably. Remember that 俘虏 specifically refers to captives taken in war, while 监禁 relates to being held in custody by legal authorities.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 俘虏

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Component Characters

to take prisoner
9 strokes
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prisoner of war
8 strokes
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Write 俘虏

Practice writing 俘虏 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar Patterns of 俘虏

俘虏 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 3

Complete the Sentence

他的士兵袭击了瓜扎坦,擒获了一名____。

His men made a sortie to Guazatan and took a prisoner.

Example Sentences for 俘虏 (3)

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1
他的士兵袭击了瓜扎坦,擒获了一名俘虏。

tā de shì bīng xí jī le guā zā tǎn, , qín huò le yī míng fú。

His men made a sortie to Guazatan and took a prisoner.
2
持冲锋枪的几名男子俘虏了5名士兵并开车将他们带走。

chí chōng fēng qiāng de jī míng nán zǐ fú lǔ le5 5 míng shì bīng bìng kāi chē jiāng tā mén dài。

Men carrying sub-machine guns seized the five soldiers and drove them away.
3
在每一次碰撞之后几百年,这些碎屑又被重新俘虏.

zài měi yī cì pèng zhuàng zhī hòu jī bǎi nián, , zhè xiē suì xiè yòu bèi zhòng xīn fú.

This debris was recaptured a few hundred years after each collision.

Cultural Notes for 俘虏

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese history, the concept of captives has been significant, particularly during dynastic wars and conflicts. The term 俘虏 is often used in historical literature to describe the fate of soldiers and the moral implications of warfare.

Frequently Asked Questions about 俘虏

While 俘虏 primarily refers to military captives, it can metaphorically describe someone feeling trapped or constrained in a non-literal sense.