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March 24, 2026
俘fú(fu2)
The character 俘 (fú) means to capture or take someone prisoner, often used in a military context to refer specifically to a prisoner of war. It conveys the action of seizing an enemy combatant, which has implications of conflict and the aftermath of battles. In broader usage, it can also refer to someone held against their will in various situations.
Strokes9Radical亻Frequency#43682DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese history, the concept of taking prisoners has significant implications, especially during periods of war such as the Sino-Japanese War. The treatment of prisoners and the concept of honor and shame associated with capturing an enemy have deep cultural roots.
Memory Tip
Imagine a soldier (人) capturing another (俘) during a battle. The character 俘 combines the radical for 'person' (人) with a component that resembles 'to capture'. Picture the capture as a dramatic scene in a movie, helping you remember both the meaning and the pronunciation 'fú'.
Meanings of 俘
fú(fu2)
1to take prisoner
2prisoner of war
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 俘 means.
About 俘
俘Simplified
9Strokes
亻Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#43682Frequency Rank
Podcast: 俘
Podcast: 俘
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AI Study Notes for 俘
Quick Contrast
俘 (fú) vs 捕 (bǔ) — use 俘 for prisoners of war or captives in a military context, while 捕 is more general for capturing or seizing any living thing.
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include confusing 俘 with similar-sounding words like 服 (fú), which means to serve or obey. It is used in formal contexts, particularly in military discussions, and should be avoided in casual conversation. Pay attention to the tone; this word is pronounced with a rising tone (second tone) in Mandarin.
HSK Study Tips
Though 俘 is not yet included in HSK vocabulary lists, it is useful to know as it connects to military terminology and actions. Students should focus on recognizing it in reading materials or discussions related to history or warfare, enhancing their comprehension of military-related contexts.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mix up 俘 with the word 服 (fú), leading to incorrect usage in contexts related to service or obedience. For example, using '俘' to say 'I serve my country' is incorrect; instead, say '我服从我的国家' (wǒ fúcóng wǒ de guójiā).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 俘
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How Well Do You Know 俘?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 俘 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
俘 = 亻 + 孚. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 俘
IDS Structure⿰亻孚
俘Full Character
=
亻ren2
left
孚fu2
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 俘?
How to say to take prisoner in Chinese
“to take prisoner” in Chinese is俘fú
The character 俘 (fú) means to capture or take someone prisoner, often used in a military context to refer specifically to a prisoner of war. It conveys the action of seizing an enemy combatant, which has implications of conflict and the aftermath of battles. In broader usage, it can also refer to someone held against their will in various situations.
When to use 俘
Common mistakes include confusing 俘 with similar-sounding words like 服 (fú), which means to serve or obey. It is used in formal contexts, particularly in military discussions, and should be avoided in casual conversation. Pay attention to the tone; this word is pronounced with a rising tone (second tone) in Mandarin.
俘 or something close to it
俘 (fú) vs 捕 (bǔ) — use 俘 for prisoners of war or captives in a military context, while 捕 is more general for capturing or seizing any living thing.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mix up 俘 with the word 服 (fú), leading to incorrect usage in contexts related to service or obedience. For example, using '俘' to say 'I serve my country' is incorrect; instead, say '我服从我的国家' (wǒ fúcóng wǒ de guójiā).
Write 俘
俘
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Practice writing 俘 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 俘
俘 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
他根据被____囚犯提供的证据得出了这个结论。
He based his conclusions on the evidence given by the captured prisoners.
Example Sentences for 俘 (10)
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1
他根据被俘囚犯提供的证据得出了这个结论。
tā gēn jù bèi fú qiú fàn tí gōng de zhèng jù dé chū le zhè gè jié lùn。
He based his conclusions on the evidence given by the captured prisoners.
2
他的士兵袭击了瓜扎坦，擒获了一名俘虏。
tā de shì bīng xí jī le guā zā tǎn， ， qín huò le yī míng fú。
His men made a sortie to Guazatan and took a prisoner.
3
他还简单谈及了他被俘期间忍受的孤独。
tā huán jiǎn dān tán jí le tā bèi fú qī jiān rěn shòu de gū dú。
He also talked briefly about the isolation he endured while in captivity.
