captive

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 虜 is read とりこ, has 13 strokes, and relates to captivity.
• Basic usage: 虜 is read とりこ, and 捕虜 is read ほりょ.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 虜 and 捕虜
  • 虜 means captive or someone captivated.
  • 戦いに敗れた兵士は敵の虜となった。 means “The soldier defeated in battle became an enemy captive.”
  • 捕虜 means prisoner of war or captive.
  • 兵士は戦闘後に捕虜となった。 means “The soldier became a prisoner of war after the battle.”