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囚徒 (しゅうと, shuuto) Japanese meaning: prisoner | Kotomora

囚しゅう徒と

しゅ

う

と

Meanings

1

prisoner; convict

A somewhat formal or literary term for a person held in prison. In everyday speech, 囚人 (しゅうじん) is more common.

囚しゅう徒とは独どく房ぼうに閉とじ込こめられていた。
The prisoner was confined in a solitary cell.

Kanji

囚captured, criminal, arrest
徒on foot, junior, emptiness

Related words

囚しゅう人じん
囚人 is the standard, everyday word for 'prisoner'. 囚徒 is more literary and less common.

Etymology

Composed of 囚 (captive, prisoner) and 徒 (follower, fellow). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the kanji combination conveys the meaning of a person who is imprisoned.