虜
と
り
こ
Meanings
1
Literal sense: a person captured and held against their will, especially in war or conflict.
The soldiers who became captives of the enemy were sent to a prisoner-of-war camp.
2
captive of love; slave to passion
Figurative sense: someone completely captivated by love, desire, or a strong emotion; often used in romantic or dramatic contexts.
He became a captive of her charm.
I'm a slave to sweets and end up eating cake every day.
Usage patterns
- 〜の虜になるto become captivated by ~; to fall completely under the spell of ~
She became completely captivated by that music.
- 〈人〉を虜にするto captivate someone; to steal someone's heart
That smile captivated many people.
- 〈相手〉の虜になるto become a prisoner/captive of an enemy or opposing force
The soldiers became prisoners of the enemy.