略奪・掠奪|りゃくだつryakudatsu[0]heiban (flat)

JLPT N1approx.Common
Which spelling to use
略奪略奪 is the more common written form and the one beginners should normally choose when writing.
掠奪掠奪 is a less common written variant of 略奪; recognize it when you encounter it, but prefer 略奪 in your own writing.
Definitions
  1. noun, suru verb, transitive verbpillage; plunder; looting; robbery
    トムによって、メアリー様さまは利益りえきを約束やくそくする略奪りゃくだつの尊師そんしの一ひとつしかありません。↗
    According to Tom, Mary is just a predatory guru who promises gain.
Conjugation
Dictionary form略奪する(りゃくだつする)
Polite (masu)略奪します(りゃくだつします)
Negative (nai)略奪しない(りゃくだつしない)
polite (masen)略奪しません(りゃくだつしません)
classical zu / nu略奪せず・略奪せぬ(りゃくだつせず・りゃくだつせぬ)
Past (ta)略奪した(りゃくだつした)
polite (mashita)略奪しました(りゃくだつしました)
Past negative (nakatta)略奪しなかった(りゃくだつしなかった)
polite (masen deshita)略奪しませんでした(りゃくだつしませんでした)
Te form略奪して(りゃくだつして)
Potential略奪できる(りゃくだつできる)
Passive略奪される(りゃくだつされる)
Causative略奪させる(りゃくだつさせる)
Causative passive略奪させられる(りゃくだつさせられる)
Conditional (ba)略奪すれば(りゃくだつすれば)
tara略奪したら(りゃくだつしたら)
Volitional略奪しよう(りゃくだつしよう)
polite (mashou)略奪しましょう(りゃくだつしましょう)
Imperative略奪しろ(りゃくだつしろ)

Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.

Synonyms & antonyms
  • Synonym強奪ごうだつWrittenWritten/formal word for taking something by force, e.g. 「現金強奪」. Unlike 「略奪」, it can be an individual's act; 「略奪」 usually means a group looting property in war or riots.
  • Synonym略取りゃくしゅWrittenWritten legal term for taking things or abducting people by violence or threats, as in 「略取誘拐」; 「略奪」 targets property.
  • Synonym収奪しゅうだつWrittenWritten word for forcible taking and exploitation, e.g. rulers squeezing their people; 「略奪」 is outright violent looting.
  • Synonym奪い取るうばいとるNeutralNative-Japanese verb for forcibly grabbing something away. 「略奪」 is a Sino-Japanese noun, typically group looting of property.
  • Synonym奪ううばうNeutralThe commonest verb for taking away, also depriving of life or captivating attention. 「略奪」 leans to violent looting of property, with extensions like 「略奪愛」.
  • Synonym劫掠きょうりゃくWrittenWritten word, rarely used: plundering by intimidation. In everyday contexts just say 「略奪」.
  • Synonym奪掠だつりゃくWrittenRare written word for seizing by force of arms. Synonymous with 「略奪」 but much less common; 「略奪」 is the usual choice.
  • Synonym掠め奪うかすめうばうWrittenWritten verb, not often used: to rob something by force or violence. 「略奪」 is a Sino-Japanese noun with a formal flavor.
  • RelatedぶんどるNeutralPlundering enemy supplies; colloquially also wresting something for oneself, as in 「予算を分捕る」. 「略奪」 stresses illegal looting.
  • Related横取りよこどりCasualColloquial: snatching someone's things or achievements from the side, as in 「手柄を横取りする」; it has no sense of group violent looting.
  • Related横奪おうだつWrittenRare written word for high-handedly appropriating other people's property; in everyday speech use 「横取り」.
  • RelatedぶったくりCasualColloquial: robbery, but now mostly overcharging or ripping people off. 「略奪」 never covers overcharging; it means violent looting, figuratively taking someone's beloved.

Use 「略奪」 for group looting amid war or riots; 「強奪」 for seizing by force; 「奪う」 for the everyday sense of taking something away; 「横取り」 for snatching credit or results from the side. The rare written synonyms are normally replaced by 「略奪」.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

Japanese definitions
  1. 集団しゅうだんによる暴力ぼうりょく行為こういなどによって、違法いほうに他人たにんの所有物しょゆうぶつを奪取だっしゅする行為こうい。
Kanji in this word
English equivalents

JLPT vocabulary levels are community estimates, not official (no official lists have been published since the 2010 revision).

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