さらわる - what form is this?


I just watched an episode called:

> ハロルド王子{おうじ}さらわる！

What is this さらわる? Can it be written with kanji? Any reason why online
dictionaries don't seem to understand its structure?




First, you should know that conjugated verb forms will not be found in
dictionaries, paper or on-line. All you find generally are the "dictionary"
forms.

「さらわる」 is the **_literary (and classical) passive voice form_** of 「さらう」 (" **
_to kidnap_** "). Its modern counterpart is 「さらわれる」.

The passive voice forms:

Classical: 「～～る」 and 「～～らる」

Modern: 「～～れる」 and 「～～られる」

The old form is still in use when the author sees it fit for his/her aesthetic
purpose. It is used in titles quite often. To the native ears, the old form
sounds more dramatic and just plain "nice" for a lack of word, but that is
just like how older forms are treated in English, isn't it?

So, 「～～さらわる」 means "~~ kidnapped" to use the headline grammar.

In prose, of course, it would be "~~ gets kidnapped."




First, you should know that conjugated verb forms will not be found in
dictionaries, paper or on-line. All you find generally are the "dictionary"
forms.

「さらわる」 is the **_literary (and classical) passive voice form_** of 「さらう」 (" **
_to kidnap_** "). Its modern counterpart is 「さらわれる」.

The passive voice forms:

Classical: 「～～る」 and 「～～らる」

Modern: 「～～れる」 and 「～～られる」

The old form is still in use when the author sees it fit for his/her aesthetic
purpose. It is used in titles quite often. To the native ears, the old form
sounds more dramatic and just plain "nice" for a lack of word, but that is
just like how older forms are treated in English, isn't it?

So, 「～～さらわる」 means "~~ kidnapped" to use the headline grammar.

In prose, of course, it would be "~~ gets kidnapped."

