raptar
“raptar” means “to kidnap” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
to kidnap
Also: to abduct
📝 In Action
Intentaron raptar al hijo del presidente.
B1They tried to kidnap the president's son.
La policía busca a los hombres que querían raptar a la niña.
B1The police are looking for the men who wanted to abduct the girl.
Es un crimen muy grave raptar a una persona.
A2It is a very serious crime to kidnap a person.
to carry off
📝 In Action
Hades emergió de la tierra para raptar a Perséfone.
C1Hades emerged from the earth to carry off Persephone.
El águila raptó a su presa en un abrir y cerrar de ojos.
C2The eagle carried off its prey in the blink of an eye.
Subjunctive
Imperfect Subjunctive
Present Subjunctive
Indicative
Preterite
Imperfect
Present
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: raptar
Question 1 of 3
Which of these is the most common synonym for 'raptar' in a crime report?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Latin word 'raptare', which means 'to seize and carry off'. This comes from 'rapere', the same root for words like 'rapid' and 'rapture'.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'raptar' used for things or just people?
It is almost exclusively used for people or animals in mythological stories. For objects, you would use 'robar' (to steal).
What is the difference between 'raptar' and 'secuestrar'?
They are often used as synonyms, but 'secuestrar' is more common in modern legal language, especially when a ransom is involved. 'Raptar' feels slightly more formal or focused on the act of taking the person.
Does it have any other meanings?
The noun form 'rapto' can also mean a moment of intense emotion or 'rapture', but the verb 'raptar' specifically refers to the act of taking someone.