How to Write 掳 (lǔ) — Meaning “to capture; to seize; to kidnap”

Imagine a hand (扌) using great force (力) to grab a tiger (虍) by its stripes. This vivid picture of a dangerous capture helps link the character to its meaning of kidnapping and seizing.

The 虍 component on the top right has seven strokes, including a short horizontal stroke and a hook; do not confuse it with 虎. The bottom 力 must be written with a curved stroke, and the whole right side should be slightly narrower than the left hand radical.

掳 (lǔ) means to capture and has a tiger element, while 拜 (bài) means to worship and combines two hands (hand radical on left and 手 on right). 括 (kuò) means to include and uses 舌 (tongue) on the right; unlike 掳, it has no violent or forceful connotation.

掳 appears mostly in news reports or historical texts about kidnapping, looting, or wartime pillaging, such as 掳掠 (lǔ lüè, to plunder). It is not common in everyday conversation and carries a negative, violent tone, often describing criminal or military actions.

Common words containing 掳 include: 掳走 (lǔ zǒu) — to carry off; to kidnap; 掳掠 (lǔ lüè) — to loot; to pillage; to plunder; 掳人 (lǔ rén) — to kidnap people.