rehenes
rreh-EH-ness
/reˈenes/
📝 In Action
El grupo terrorista liberó a los rehenes después de las negociaciones.
B2The terrorist group released the hostages after the negotiations.
La policía intentó rescatar a los rehenes sin usar la fuerza.
B1The police tried to rescue the captives without using force.
El secuestrador exigió un rescate a cambio de la vida de los rehenes.
C1The kidnapper demanded a ransom in exchange for the lives of the hostages.
💡 Grammar Points
Always Plural
This word, 'rehenes,' is the plural form. If you need to talk about just one person, you must use the singular: 'un rehén' (a single hostage).
Gender Neutrality
Even though 'rehenes' is grammatically masculine (like 'los rehenes'), it refers to both male and female captives. It is a gender-neutral term for a group of people.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Rehenes vs. Prisioneros
Mistake: “Using 'prisioneros' when referring to people held for leverage.”
Correction: 'Rehenes' are people held to force demands from a third party (like a government). 'Prisioneros' (prisoners) are usually captured combatants or people serving a sentence.
⭐ Usage Tips
Key Verb Pairing
The most common way to talk about this situation is using the verb 'tomar' (to take). Example: 'Tomaron rehenes en el banco' (They took hostages at the bank).
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: rehenes
Question 1 of 2
Which verb is most commonly used in Spanish to describe the act of capturing hostages?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does 'rehenes' only refer to people held in specific, high-stakes situations?
Yes, 'rehenes' specifically means people held against their will, usually as leverage to force someone else (like a government or company) to meet demands. It is not generally used for someone simply imprisoned or detained.