Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA |
|---|---|
| rapire | /raˈpi.re/ |
| sequestrare | /se.kwesˈtra.re/ |
The verb refers to the act of seizing and detaining a person unlawfully. Related nouns include rapimento, which refers to the act of abduction in a general or descriptive sense and sequestro, which refers to the crime of kidnapping or the act of seizing a person or object by force or legal authority.
Which one should you use?
While both words can mean to kidnap, rapire is typically used for the act of abducting or snatching a person, often implying a more sudden or forceful abduction. In contrast, sequestrare is often used in the context of sequestro di persona (kidnapping for ransom) or the legal seizure of property/assets.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /raˈpi.re/. It has 3 syllables, with the stress on the 2nd syllable.
Did you know?
- The verb rapire shares an ancient root with the English word 'rapture', which describes a state of intense pleasure or being carried away by emotion.
- In legal Italian, sequestro describes not just kidnapping for ransom, but also the official impounding of a vehicle by the authorities.
- In Italian, the verb rapire is used to describe the act of 'stealing' the spotlight or the attention of a crowd, rather than using a word for theft.
Examples in context
- Perché qualcuno li rapirebbe?Why would anyone kidnap them?This sentence shows how to use rapire when referring to a group of people (li).Tatoeba #6473593 by Guybrush88, translation #3914273 by CH
- Perché qualcuno le rapirebbe?Why would anybody kidnap them?This sentence shows how to use rapire when referring to a group of people (le).Tatoeba #6473594 by Guybrush88, translation #3914277 by CH
- Perché qualcuno lo rapirebbe?Why would anyone kidnap him?This sentence shows how to use rapire when referring to a single male (lo).Tatoeba #6473595 by Guybrush88, translation #3914274 by CH
- Sono stati rapiti tre turisti stranieri.Three foreign tourists have been kidnapped.
- Hanno sequestrato il ricco imprenditore per chiedere un riscatto.They kidnapped the wealthy businessman to demand a ransom.
- I malviventi hanno preso in ostaggio i passeggeri del treno.The criminals took the train passengers hostage.
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alessandro and Sofia are discussing a plot of a thriller movie.
- AlessandroNel film, i criminali vogliono rapire il figlio del sindaco.In the movie, the criminals want to kidnap the mayor's son.
- SofiaMa perché dovrebbero rapire proprio lui?But why would they kidnap him specifically?
- AlessandroPer chiedere un riscatto molto alto.To ask for a very high ransom.
- SofiaQuesta trama è davvero molto intensa.This plot is really very intense.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “kidnap” translations and entries rapire, sequestrare, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries rapire, sequestrare, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
