人質

• Reading: ひとじち
• Romaji: hitojichi
• Kanji breakdown: 人 (hito) — person; 質 (jichi/shichi) — pledge, security, hostage
• Pronunciation: /hi.to.dʑi.tɕi/

Meaning

Hostage; a person seized or held as security for the fulfilment of a demand.

A noun describing a person held captive to force compliance with demands. Common collocations include 人質を取る (to take hostages), 人質を解放する (to release hostages), and 人質事件 (hostage incident). Historically, the term also referred to persons exchanged as pledges between feudal lords to ensure loyalty.

Examples

1. 犯人は人質を取って建物に立てこもった。 The suspect took hostages and barricaded himself in the building.
2. 人質の安全を最優先に交渉が進められた。 Negotiations proceeded with the hostages' safety as the top priority.
3. 全員の人質が無事に解放されて安心した。 We were relieved when all the hostages were safely released.

Usage Guide

Context: crime, news, history, international affairs

Tone: serious

Origin & History

From native Japanese 人 (hito, person) + 質 (jichi/shichi, pledge/security). Literally 'person-pledge,' originating in the feudal practice of exchanging people as guarantees of trust between allied clans.

Cultural Context

Era: Feudal

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal