rehén
/reˈen/feminine, masculine
The English word hostage is translated into Spanish as rehén.
The word rehén refers to a person who is held as a pledge or security. In Spanish, it is common to use the verb tomar (to take) when describing the act of someone being taken hostage.
Meaning: person given as a pledge or security (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of rehén is rehenes.
How do you pronounce it?
/reˈen/
Did you know?
- The word rehén traces its roots back to the Arabic word rahīn, which means 'something pledged' or 'a person under a debt'.
- In Spanish, the word rehén can be used metaphorically to describe someone who is emotionally trapped or dependent on another person.
- In historical Spanish legal texts, a rehén was not always a victim of a crime but could be a high-ranking noble acting as a guarantee for a treaty.
Examples in context
- Tom fue tomado rehén.Tom was held hostage.Tatoeba #1435979 by marcelostockle, translation #1140974 by CK
- Putin tomó toda una península como rehén.Putin has taken an entire peninsula hostage.Tatoeba #3126502 by marcelostockle, translation #12709708 by rul
- Los rehenes serán liberados mañana.The hostages will be released tomorrow.
- Fue secuestrado ayer.He was taken hostage yesterday.
- Llevaron a los rehenes a un lugar oculto.They took the hostages to a hidden location.
- En la película, el protagonista negocia la liberación de los rehenes.In the movie, the protagonist negotiates the release of the hostages.
- El ladrón mantenía al rehén en el banco.The thief was holding the hostage in the bank.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Sofía are watching a news report about a crisis.
- Alejandro¿Viste las noticias sobre el rehén?Did you see the news about the hostage?
- SofíaSí, es una situación muy peligrosa.Yes, it is a very dangerous situation.
- AlejandroEspero que la policía ayude al hombre.I hope the police help the man.
- SofíaOjalá que todos estén bien.I hope everyone is okay.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hostage” translations and entries rehén, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries rehén, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
