secuestrar
/sekwesˈtɾaɾ/
To kidnap in Spanish is to secuestrar. Wiktionary also lists raptar.
Meaning: to seize and detain a person unlawfully (verb)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| secuestrar | /sekwesˈtɾaɾ/ |
| raptar | /rabˈtaɾ/ |
Both verbs mean to seize and detain a person unlawfully. The verb secuestrar is the standard term used for criminal kidnapping, particularly in cases involving a ransom.
Which one should you use?
While secuestrar is used for criminal acts, raptar is often used in a literary sense or to describe the abduction of a person, such as in mythological contexts. The noun form of secuestrar is secuestro, whereas the noun form of raptar is rapto.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
If you want to talk about the act of kidnapping as a noun, use secuestro for the criminal context or rapto for the more literary or abduction-based context.
How do you pronounce it?
/sekwesˈtɾaɾ/
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking legal systems, the term secuestro is used for the temporary impoundment of a vehicle by authorities.
- The word rapto can also describe a sudden, intense emotional outburst or a 'fit' of passion in classical Spanish literature.
- The verb secuestrar actually shares a root with the English word 'sequester', which means to isolate or set something aside.
Examples in context
- ¿Por qué alguien secuestraría a Tom?Why would anybody kidnap Tom?This sentence uses secuestrar to ask about the motive for kidnapping someone.Tatoeba #1557051 by hayastan, translation #1543582 by CK
- Las personas gordas son difíciles de secuestrar.Fat people are hard to kidnap.This sentence uses secuestrar to describe the difficulty of kidnapping certain people.Tatoeba #1130390 by cueyayotl, translation #1128532 by CM
- «Alí lleva un tiempo desaparecido. ¿Le habrán secuestrado?» «No lo creo. ¿Acaso es alguien que valga la pena secuestrar?»"Ali has been gone for some time. Did someone kidnap him?" "I don't think so. Is he even someone worth kidnapping?"This sentence uses secuestrar to discuss whether someone has been kidnapped or is worth kidnapping.Tatoeba #10464520 by Shishir, translation #10465079 by DJ_Saidez
- El juez condenó al acusado por secuestrar a la víctima.The judge sentenced the accused for kidnapping the victim.
- El periodista informó sobre el hombre raptado en el centro de la ciudad.The journalist reported on the man kidnapped in the city center.
- El grupo delictivo planea hacer un secuestro millonario.The criminal group plans to carry out a million-dollar kidnapping.
- A Juan lo levantaron en la esquina y no lo hemos visto desde entonces.Juan was picked up on the corner and we haven't seen him since.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and María are watching a crime documentary on TV.
- DanielEs terrible que quieran secuestrar al embajador.It is terrible that they want to kidnap the ambassador.
- MaríaSí, es un crimen muy peligroso.Yes, it is a very dangerous crime.
- DanielEspero que la policía lo detenga.I hope the police stop him.
- MaríaSeguro que lo lograrán.I am sure they will succeed.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “kidnap” translations and entries secuestrar, raptar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries raptar, secuestrar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
