誘拐

• Reading: ゆうかい
• Romaji: yuukai
• Kanji breakdown: 誘 (yuu) — lure, entice; 拐 (kai) — abduct, kidnap
• Pronunciation: /jɯː.ka.i/

Meaning

Abduction; kidnapping. The criminal act of taking someone away by force or deception.

A noun (also used with する) referring to the crime of abducting or kidnapping a person. Used in both news reporting and everyday discussion of criminal acts. Common compounds include 誘拐犯 (kidnapper), 誘拐事件 (kidnapping case), and 誘拐未遂 (attempted kidnapping). Distinguished from 拉致 (rachi), which specifically refers to political abduction.

Examples

1. 子供の誘拐事件が全国ニュースになった。 The child kidnapping case became national news.
2. 誘拐された女性は三日後に無事に保護された。 The kidnapped woman was safely rescued three days later.
3. 誘拐犯は身代金を要求してきた。 The kidnapper made a ransom demand.

Usage Guide

Context: crime, news, law, safety

Tone: serious

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese 誘 (yuu, to lure/to entice) + 拐 (kai, to abduct/to kidnap). The first character suggests deception or enticement, while the second specifically means to carry away by force. Together they describe luring and then taking someone.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal