French Conversation · Level 10
88 words
French word
kidnapping
Pronunciation
IPA/kidnapiŋ/
Meaning
- masculine nounkidnapping
Example
Ils ont filmé le kidnapping près du parc.
They filmed the kidnapping near the park.
More examples
La victime du kidnapping a été retrouvée saine et sauve.
The victim of a kidnapping was found safe and sound.
Core concept
A threatened person is taken away and held as a captive for a period of time.
Common phrases
victime d'un kidnapping
victim of a kidnapping
tentative de kidnapping
attempted kidnapping
en cas de kidnapping
in case of kidnapping
Similar words
enlèvement: The act of taking someone away against their will through threats.
prise d'otage: The act of restraining someone as a hostage for ransom or other demands.
séquestration: The act of locking someone away and preventing contact with the outside world.
Definition in French
Privation de liberté d'une personne obtenue par la contrainte ou la menace, impliquant souvent une séquestration temporaire.
Word origin
The French noun comes from English kidnap, formed from kid and the older verb nap, meaning to snatch or seize.
Usage tips
- French uses kidnapping as a masculine noun, so the usual article is un kidnapping, although enlèvement is often preferred in formal contexts.
Other meanings
- abductionnoun
Opposites
- libérationreleasenoun
- sauvetagerescuenoun
Related words
- kidnapperkidnapverb
- kidnappeurkidnappernoun
- kidnappékidnapped personnoun