Japanese word

人質

Pronunciation

Romajihitojichi

Meaning

  • nounhostage

Example

交渉の後、人質は家族のもとへ帰りました。kō shō no ato hito jichi wa ka zoku no mo to e kae ri ma shi ta

After the negotiations, the hostage returned to their family.

Illustration for 人質 (hostage)

More examples

交渉人は人質の安全を最優先にしました。kō shō nin wa hito jichi no an zen o sai yū sen ni shi ma shi ta

The negotiator made the hostage's safety the top priority.

Core concept

Refers to someone held against their will as leverage for making another person or group accept a demand.

Common phrases

  • 人質を取るhito jichi o to ru

    take a hostage

  • 人質を交渉材料にするhito jichi o kō shō zai ryō ni su ru

    use a hostage as a bargaining tool

  • 人質を解放するhito jichi o kai hō su ru

    release a hostage

  • 人質を救出するhito jichi o kyū shutsu su ru

    rescue a hostage

Definition in Japanese

相手に要求を受け入れさせる目的で、自由を奪われ拘束された人。ai te ni yō kyū o u ke i re sa se ru moku teki de ji yū o uba wa re kō soku sa re ta hito

Word origin

The compound 人 (hito, "person") + 質 (jichi, "pledge") describes a person used as a pledge in negotiations or demands.

Usage tips

  • The common phrase hostage situation highlights that hostage describes a role in a conflict, not simply anyone who is unable to leave.

Word lists with this word