How to Say Hostage in Portuguese

Welcome to our comprehensive guide on how to say “hostage” in Portuguese. Whether you’re learning the language for travel, work, or simply out of curiosity, we’ll provide you with the formal and informal ways to express this term. Throughout the guide, we’ll also include regional variations as necessary. So, let’s dive in and explore the various ways to say “hostage” in Portuguese!

Formal Ways to Say Hostage

If you’re looking to use a more formal term for “hostage” in Portuguese, the word you should use is:

Refém

The term “refém” is widely recognized throughout the different Portuguese-speaking countries – Portugal, Brazil, Angola, Mozambique, etc. Its formal nature makes it suitable for use in official or serious contexts.

Informal Ways to Say Hostage

If you’re in a more casual setting, or you simply prefer using a less formal term, you can rely on the following expressions:

• 1. Sequestrado/a (males/females): This translates to “kidnapped” or “abducted” in English, but it is often used informally to refer to someone as a hostage.
• 2. Refém (same as formal): While “refém” is the formal term, it can also be used in informal contexts without any issues.
• 3. Cativo/a (males/females): This term carries a sense of captivity or being held against one’s will.
• 4. Prisioneiro/a (males/females): Commonly used to refer to “prisoners,” but it can be applied in a less serious manner to describe a hostage.

Remember to consider the context and the relationship with the person you are talking to when choosing the appropriate informal term.

Regional Variations

While our focus is on the most commonly used terms, it’s important to note that regional variations exist across the Portuguese-speaking world. Here are a few notable examples:

Brazil

In Brazil, the informal term “refém” is commonly used, while “sequestrado/a” is also widely understood. However, in specific regions, you might come across colloquial expressions such as:

• 1. Xaveco: This term is used in some regions as slang for hostage, but it may not be universally understood. It’s best to rely on the more common options mentioned earlier.

Portugal

In Portugal, “refém” is the preferred term in both formal and informal contexts. The other informal expressions mentioned earlier, such as “sequestrado/a,” “cativo/a,” and “prisioneiro/a,” are also recognized.

Examples

Let’s provide you with a few examples that showcase how to use these terms in sentences:

Formal Example: O diplomata foi mantido como refém por vários dias.

Informal Example: A família foi sequestrada pelos criminosos durante a noite.

Remember to adjust the gender of the words (refém, sequestrado/a, cativo/a, prisioneiro/a) to match the context, depending on whether you’re referring to a male or female hostage.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You’ve successfully learned how to say “hostage” in Portuguese. Whether you need to use a formal term like “refém” or an informal expression such as “sequestrado/a,” you’ll be able to communicate effectively. Remember to adapt your language based on formality, and feel free to use the provided examples as a guide. Boa sorte (good luck) with your Portuguese language journey!