Spanish Conversation · Level 16
90 words
Spanish word
cautivo
Pronunciation
IPA/kauˈtiβo/
Meaning
- masculine nounprisoner
Example
Encontraron a varios cautivos en la prisión.
They found several prisoners in the prison.
More examples
Los cautivos recibieron visitas de sus familias.
The prisoners received visits from their families.
Core concept
Captured person guarded by others.
Common phrases
visitar a cautivos
visit prisoners
encontrar a cautivos
find prisoners
Similar words
prisionero: A person is captured and confined during war or armed conflict.
preso: A person is imprisoned in a civilian jail or serving a criminal sentence.
detenido: A person is arrested and temporarily held in custody pending legal action.
rehén: A person is seized and held as a hostage to force demands or concessions.
Definition in Spanish
Alguien retenido por la fuerza o detenido por la autoridad.
Word origin
Derived from medieval Latin captīvus via Latin capere 'to take', literally a captured or taken person.
Usage tips
- In military or historical descriptions cautivo often refers to prisoners of war, whereas preso is the more neutral everyday term for someone in jail.