How do you say Hostage in German?

When someone is held against their will - used as leverage or bargaining power - Germans call that person a Geisel. It’s a word that shows up in crime reports, international politics, and the darkest moments of human conflict.

The noun Geisel means hostage, and it’s one of the 1000 most frequently used nouns in German. It’s emotionally intense, legally specific, and immediately understood.

It’s a feminine noun, so we say die Geisel - regardless of the person’s gender.

Pronunciation

Geisel is pronounced [ˈɡaɪ̯zl̩], roughly "GUY-zl," with a hard g and voiced z.

• The “ei” sounds like “eye,”
• The “s” is voiced like a “z,” and
• The “el” ends softly, like “uh-l.”

It sounds sharp and urgent - just like the situations it’s used in.

Example sentences:

• Die Geisel wurde nach stundenlangen Verhandlungen freigelassen.The hostage was released after hours of negotiation.
• Die Polizei versuchte, mit dem Geiselnehmer zu sprechen.The police tried to speak with the hostage-taker.

Nuance and usage tips

Geisel refers specifically to a person held under coercion, not to the act or situation itself. It’s often used with:

• Geiselnahme - hostage-taking
• Geiselnehmer - hostage-taker
• Geiselbefreiung - hostage rescue

In politics and journalism, Geisel can also be used metaphorically: