誘拐（ゆうかい、yuukai）
- kidnapping

The Japanese word 誘拐, read as ゆうかい (yuukai), means "kidnapping" or "abduction." It refers to the act of taking someone away unlawfully, usually against their will, and holding them captive. It is a serious crime.

⚫︎子供が誘拐された。 Translation: A child was kidnapped. ⚫︎犯人は身代金のために彼女を誘拐した。 Translation: The criminal kidnapped her for ransom. ⚫︎誘拐事件の捜査が始まった。 Translation: An investigation into a kidnapping case has begun.

This word is used to describe the act of kidnapping in various contexts, including news reports, legal discussions, and fictional stories. It is typically used in formal or semi-formal settings. You would use it to talk about the crime itself, the victim, the perpetrator, or the related investigation. You can use it in a conversation to report a kidnapping incident or to discuss the topic of kidnapping generally.

The word 誘拐 is typically written in kanji. The reading is ゆうかい in hiragana. There are no other common ways to write this word. The okurigana (送りがな) is consistent; no variations.

There are no direct synonyms that are used as frequently as 誘拐 itself. However, here are some related words: ⚫︎ 拉致(らち - rachi): Abduction (often used for political or state-sponsored abduction) ⚫︎ 連れ去り(つれさり - tsuresari): Taking away; carrying off (can be used less formally)

There aren't specific single-word antonyms for 誘拐, as it is a criminal act. However, concepts or actions that are the opposite could include: ⚫︎ 解放(かいほう - kaihou): Release, freeing ⚫︎ 救出(きゅうしゅつ - kyuushutsu): Rescue

警察は誘拐犯を逮捕するために、捜査を続けている。 ・Translation: The police are continuing their investigation to arrest the kidnapper. ・Explanation: This sentence describes the police's actions following a 誘拐 incident.

彼女は誘拐の恐怖を乗り越え、立ち直った。 ・Translation: She overcame the fear of the kidnapping and recovered. ・Explanation: This sentence discusses the emotional aftermath of a 誘拐 incident.

The word 誘拐 is a compound word. ⚫︎ 誘 (ゆう - yuu) means "to lure, tempt, or entice." ⚫︎ 拐 (かい - kai) means "to abduct, kidnap, or take away." Together, they form the meaning "to kidnap" or "to abduct by luring."