Can 奪う be a synonym of 殺す?


In the following dialogue, and in general, is 奪う a synonym of 殺す? Maybe a more
'poetical' one?

> Character A: 誠士郎【せいしろう】を殺したのは鈴爾【れいじ】と雪也【ゆきなり】さんだ。
>
> Character B: なに？誠士郎【せいしろう】を奪ったのが鈴爾【れいじ】と兄さん…！？

Thank you for your help!




  1. Yes, in the dialogue, this 奪う is a synonym of 殺す, although the focus is on "we lost him" rather than plain "he is dead".
  2. In general, 奪う means "to take [sth] away" or "to steal". 命を奪う _to take life away_ always means _to kill_. I'd say this usage is "[人]を奪う" _to take [somebody] (away)_ , which can mean different things depending on the context: 
    * 王女を奪う would mean to _kidnap_ her. (or when she's already kidnapped, to rescue her from the rogue)
    * 恋人を奪う would usually mean to steal his/her love.




  1. Yes, in the dialogue, this 奪う is a synonym of 殺す, although the focus is on "we lost him" rather than plain "he is dead".
  2. In general, 奪う means "to take [sth] away" or "to steal". 命を奪う _to take life away_ always means _to kill_. I'd say this usage is "[人]を奪う" _to take [somebody] (away)_ , which can mean different things depending on the context: 
    * 王女を奪う would mean to _kidnap_ her. (or when she's already kidnapped, to rescue her from the rogue)
    * 恋人を奪う would usually mean to steal his/her love.

