Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'hostage'

English Word: hostage

Key Russian Translations:

• заложник [/zəˈlɐʒnʲɪk/] - [Formal, typically used in legal, news, or serious contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in news, political, or crisis-related discussions, but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian noun declensions and context-specific vocabulary)

Pronunciation (Russian):

заложник: [/zəˈlɐʒnʲɪk/]

Note on заложник: The stress falls on the third syllable ('lɐʒ'). Be cautious with the soft 'нʲ' sound, which is a palatalized 'n' common in Russian. Pronunciation may vary slightly in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A person seized or held as security for the fulfillment of a condition.

Translation(s) & Context:

• заложник - Used in formal contexts such as legal documents, news reports, or discussions about kidnappings and negotiations.

Usage Examples:

• Террористы взяли заложника в заложники во время атаки.

  The terrorists took a hostage during the attack.

• Правительство ведет переговоры по освобождению заложников из плена.

  The government is negotiating the release of hostages from captivity.

• В исторических фильмах часто показывают, как короли использовали заложников для обеспечения мира.

  In historical films, kings often used hostages to ensure peace.

• Международные организации помогают в спасении заложников в зонах конфликта.

  International organizations assist in rescuing hostages in conflict zones.

• Заложник был освобожден после уплаты выкупа.

  The hostage was released after the ransom was paid.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Заложник" is a masculine noun of the third declension in Russian. It follows standard patterns for animate nouns, with changes in cases and numbers. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: This noun does not have irregular forms, but always ensure agreement with adjectives and verbs based on gender, number, and case.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • пленник (captive; implies longer-term imprisonment, often in a military context)
  • узник (prisoner; broader term, but can overlap in cases of involuntary detention)
• Antonyms:
  • освобожденный (released; not a direct antonym but contrasts the state)
  • свободный (free; general opposite concept)

Related Phrases:

• взять в заложники - To take hostage; used in contexts of kidnapping or threats.
• обменять заложников - To exchange hostages; common in negotiation scenarios.
• спасение заложников - Hostage rescue; refers to operations by security forces.

Usage Notes:

"Заложник" directly corresponds to "hostage" in English, emphasizing a person held for leverage, often in criminal or political situations. It is primarily formal and should be avoided in casual conversation. When using in sentences, ensure proper case agreement; for example, in the accusative case, it becomes "заложника" when directly affected by an action. If multiple translations exist, choose "заложник" for precise hostage scenarios rather than broader terms like "пленник." Be mindful of cultural sensitivities, as this word often appears in news about conflicts.

Common Errors:

• Confusing with "пленник": English learners might use "пленник" interchangeably, but it's less specific to hostage situations and more about general captivity. Incorrect: "Они взяли пленника." (Though grammatically correct, it doesn't capture the nuance.) Correct: "Они взяли заложника." Explanation: "Заложник" implies a demand or condition for release.

• Forgetting case endings: Beginners often omit changes, e.g., saying "в заложник" instead of "в заложники" for plural. Incorrect: "Освобождение заложник." Correct: "Освобождение заложников." Explanation: Russian requires case agreement for grammatical accuracy.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and history, the concept of hostages has been prominent in events like the Soviet-era conflicts or modern terrorism, such as the Beslan school siege in 2004. The term "заложник" often carries emotional weight, symbolizing vulnerability in geopolitical tensions, and is frequently discussed in media to highlight issues of security and human rights.

Related Concepts:

• терроризм (terrorism)
• похищение (kidnapping)
• переговоры (negotiations)