How to Write 虏 (lǔ) — Meaning “To capture; prisoner of war.”

Imagine a tiger (虍) using its powerful strength (力) to grab and hold a prisoner. This visual of a tiger's capture reminds you that 虏 means 'to capture' or 'prisoner of war'.

The top part 虍 has a long horizontal stroke that should extend a bit to the left, and the hook below it is written with a slight curve. The bottom component 力 must be narrow and centered under the hook, not too wide or too tall.

虍 is only a radical (tiger head) and is not used as a stand-alone character. 虐 has the same top 虍 but uses 匕 (dagger) below, meaning cruel. In contrast, 虏 has 力 (strength) below, focusing on the act of capturing.

虏 is not in the HSK vocabulary list and appears mainly in formal, historical, or military contexts. Common words include 俘虏 (prisoner of war) and 虏获 (to capture or seize), often found in war reports or historical texts.

Common words containing 虏 include: 俘虏 (fú lǔ) — prisoner of war; captive; 虏获 (lǔ huò) — To capture; to seize.; 守虏 (shǒu lǔ) — To guard prisoners..