refém
/ʁeˈfẽj̃/feminine, masculine
The Portuguese word for hostage is refém.
refém is a noun used to describe a person who is held as a pledge or security. To express the action of taking someone hostage, the verbal phrase tomar refém is used.
Meaning: person given as a pledge or security (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of refém is reféns. The noun refém is used for both masculine and feminine subjects.
How do you pronounce it?
/ʁeˈfẽj̃/
Did you know?
- The word refém actually traces its roots back to the Arabic word rahīn, which refers to something held in pledge or a security.
- While refém describes a person held for security, Portuguese uses the distinct term sequestrado specifically for a kidnapping victim.
- In Portuguese, the word refém is used metaphorically to describe being trapped by a habit or emotion, such as being a refém do medo or 'hostage to fear'.
Examples in context
- Tom é o meu refém.Tom is my hostage.This sentence shows how to identify a person as a refém.Tatoeba #2726748 by Ricardo14, translation #2648349 by CK
- Você foi tomado refém.You were taken hostage.This sentence demonstrates the use of the phrase for being taken as a refém.Tatoeba #2179884 by alexmarcelo, translation #9421925 by Nylez
- O diplomata foi mantido como refém por vários dias.The diplomat was held hostage for several days.
- O criminoso manteve o refém na loja.The criminal kept the hostage in the store.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas and Mariana are watching a news report together.
- LucasEles ainda mantêm um refém no prédio.They are still holding a hostage in the building.
- MarianaEspero que ele fique bem.I hope he will be okay.
- LucasO negociador está tentando libertar o refém.The negotiator is trying to free the hostage.
- MarianaTomey que consigam resolver isso logo.I hope they can resolve this soon.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hostage” translations and entries refém, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries refém, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
