rehenes
“rehenes” means “hostages” in Spanish (people held captive).
hostages
Also: captives
📝 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.
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: rehenes
Question 1 of 2
Which verb is most commonly used in Spanish to describe the act of capturing hostages?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
The word comes from Old Spanish 'rehen', which itself has roots in the idea of a 'pledge' or 'guarantee'. Historically, a hostage was often a person given as security to ensure a treaty or promise was kept.
First recorded: Medieval period
Cognates (Related words)
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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.