Type: Noun / Verb (اغوا کرنا)
Origin: Arabic/Urdu; legal and criminal context
Definition: Illegal taking away of a person by force or threat; often for ransom
Synonyms (Urdu): چھینا، اغوا کرنا
Synonyms (English): kidnapping, abduction, snatching
Antonyms (Urdu): رہائی، آزاد کرنا
Antonyms (English): release, liberation, freedom
Polarity: Negative
Register: Legal, media, everyday
Pragmatic Sense: Serious criminal activity; legal and social implications
Key Nuances:
Strongly negative; associated with crime reporting
May be literal or figurative (e.g., metaphorically “capturing hearts”)
Usage Contexts:
News reporting and police records
Legal documents
Literature, fiction, or metaphorical use
Example Sentences:
Urdu: بچوں کا اغوا ہو گیا
English: The children were kidnapped
Urdu: پولیس نے اغوا کرنے والے گروہ کو پکڑ لیا
English: The gang that kidnapped people was caught by police
Urdu: اغوا کے کیس کی تحقیقات جاری ہیں
English: The kidnapping case is under investigation
Cultural Insight:
“اغوا” is frequently reported in media and has legal and social significance in Urdu-speaking countries.
Related Terms:
اختطاف (Abduction)
ربائی (Ransom)
جرائم (Crime)