略奪(りゃくだつ)

りゃくだつ
noun, verb-suru
plunder, looting
1. plunder, looting, pillage
The act of seizing property or resources by force, especially during war, riots, or civil unrest. Can also be used figuratively for aggressively taking something away from someone.
兵士(へいし)たちが村(むら)を略奪(りゃくだつ)した。
The soldiers plundered the village.
暴動(ぼうどう)の最中(さなか)に店舗(てんぽ)の略奪(りゃくだつ)が相次(あいつ)いだ。
Looting of stores occurred one after another during the riot.
植民地(しょくみんち)時代(じだい)には多(おお)くの文化財(ぶんかざい)が略奪(りゃくだつ)され、現在(げんざい)もその返還(へんかん)をめぐる議論(ぎろん)が続(つづ)いている。
Many cultural properties were plundered during the colonial era, and debates over their return continue to this day.

USAGE:
Used as a noun (略奪(りゃくだつ)) or suru-verb (略奪(りゃくだつ)する). Primarily used in historical, military, and news contexts. Can be used figuratively (e.g., 略奪(りゃくだつ)愛(あい), stealing someone's partner), though this usage is less common.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 略奪(りゃくだつ)する (to plunder, to loot)
  • 略奪(りゃくだつ)行為(こうい) (act of plunder)
  • 略奪(りゃくだつ)品(ひん) (plundered goods, loot)
  • 略奪(りゃくだつ)愛(あい) (stealing someone's lover)

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 強奪(ごうだつ): robbery, forcible seizure (emphasis on force, not necessarily in war)
  • 奪(うば)う: to seize, to snatch (general verb for taking by force)
  • 窃盗(せっとう): theft, stealing (secretive, without force)
general
Added 2026.2.25 23:34
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