Inklingo

How to Say "to abduct" in Spanish

English → Spanish

secuestrar

/seh-kwes-TRAR//sekuesˈtɾaɾ/

verbB1general
Use 'secuestrar' when referring to the illegal act of taking and holding a person, typically for ransom or other demands.
A silhouette of a figure being led away into a dark van by a masked individual.

Examples

Los secuestradores exigieron un rescate millonario.

The kidnappers demanded a multi-million dollar ransom.

Intentaron secuestrar al hijo del empresario.

They tried to kidnap the businessman's son.

Un grupo armado secuestró el avión comercial.

An armed group hijacked the commercial plane.

Es horrible pensar que alguien pueda secuestrar a un niño.

It is horrible to think that someone could kidnap a child.

The Personal 'a'

When you kidnap a specific person, you must use 'a' before the victim's name: 'Secuestraron a María'.

Direct Action

In Spanish, the person being kidnapped is the direct receiver of the action, just like in English.

Missing the 'a'

Mistake: “Secuestraron el niño.”

Correction: Secuestraron AL niño. Because the child is a person, we combine 'a' + 'el' into 'al'.

raptar

/rahp-TAHR//rapˈtaɾ/

verbB1formal
Use 'raptar' in more formal or official contexts, or when the abduction involves taking someone away without necessarily holding them for ransom, sometimes implying elopement or taking by force.
A shadowy figure quickly walking away while carrying a large, heavy sack over their shoulder in a dark alleyway.

Examples

El rapto de la princesa causó conmoción en el reino.

The abduction of the princess caused shock throughout the kingdom.

Intentaron raptar al hijo del presidente.

They tried to kidnap the president's son.

La policía busca a los hombres que querían raptar a la niña.

The police are looking for the men who wanted to abduct the girl.

Es un crimen muy grave raptar a una persona.

It is a very serious crime to kidnap a person.

The Personal 'A'

Since this action is performed on a person, you must use the word 'a' before the victim. For example: 'Raptar a alguien'.

Regular Pattern

This verb follows the standard pattern for verbs ending in -ar, so it conjugates exactly like 'hablar' or 'cantar'.

Forgetting the 'A'

Mistake: “Raptar el niño.”

Correction: Raptar al niño. Because 'niño' is a person, we need the 'personal a' (a + el = al).

Choosing Between 'Secuestrar' and 'Raptar'

Learners often confuse 'secuestrar' and 'raptar'. While both mean 'to abduct', 'secuestrar' is the more general and common term for kidnapping. 'Raptar' is less frequent and often implies a more formal or specific scenario, sometimes even a romantic elopement in older literature, so stick with 'secuestrar' for most kidnapping situations.

Related Translations

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