Meaning

Primary

Abduction

Alternatives

Kidnapping, Taking Captive

Word Type

noun, verbal noun

Explanation

If someone abducts what do they do? That's abduction, kidnapping, or taking captive. This word comes up fairly frequently in Japanese newspapers, and is often used to refer to kidnappings carried out by North Korea in the seventies and eighties.

Reading

らち
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

This is a jukugo word that uses the on'yomi readings of the kanji. You should be able to read this on your own.

Context

Context Sentences

拉致被害者全員が無事に帰ってきた。

All the kidnapping victims have returned safely.

拉致問題は、なぜ進まないのでしょうか。

Why is there no progress on the abduction issue?

その旅行者は強盗団に拉致されたが、数日後に放れた。

The traveler was taken captive by a gang of robbers but released a few days later.

Kanji Composition