襲う

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 襲う is a transitive verb read おそう, meaning to attack a person or place or for a feeling such as drowsiness to overcome someone suddenly.
• Basic usage: Use 盗賊が馬車を襲う for a physical attack and 眠気が彼を襲う for a state suddenly overcoming someone.
  • 物語では盗賊が夜中に馬車を襲います。 describes bandits attacking a carriage at midnight in a story; 急な眠気が運転中の彼を襲ったため、車を止めました。 describes stopping the car after sudden drowsiness overcame the driver.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 盗賊が馬車を襲う
  • が marks the attackers, while を marks the carriage being attacked.
• 眠気が彼を襲う
  • A sensation rather than a person can be the subject when it comes over someone forcefully.
• 襲ったため
  • ため links the onset of drowsiness to the reason for stopping the car.