Onyomi 音読み

Kunyomi 訓読み

Explanation

Prisoner, capture, confine

Personalized Lesson For You!

Kanji Story

Imagine a person trapped inside a rectangular prison cell. The person is a prisoner ('囚人') and desperately wants to escape from confinement.

Frequency in JLPT exams

The kanji '囚' is less commonly seen in the JLPT compared to other kanji. However, it may appear in higher levels like N1, where a deeper understanding of less common characters is required.

Example Sentences

• 彼は囚人を逃がしました。

  He released the prisoner.

  かれはしゅうじんをにがしました。

  kare wa shuujin o nigashimashita.

  Pronunciation

• 囚人は逃げ出しました。

  The prisoner escaped.

  しゅうじんはにげだしました。

  shuujin wa nigedashimashita.

  Pronunciation

• 彼は囚われの身だ。

  He is a captive.

  かれはとらわれのみだ。

  kare wa toraware no mi da.

  Pronunciation

Notes and Tips for JLPT students

• The kanji '囚' is a relatively rare character that is mainly used in words related to imprisonment and captivity.
• Remember the kunyomi readings 'とら.える' and 'と.らわれる' which mean 'to capture' and 'to be captured' respectively.
• Review compound words containing '囚' to understand its usage in different contexts.

Usage in Japanese Names

• The kanji '囚' is not commonly used in personal names. However, it may be used metaphorically to convey the meaning of being trapped or confined.