Captive vs Hostage

Quando usar cada um em inglês, com significado, registro e exemplos.

Captive

Top 5000 (bastante comum)B1adjective

Hostage

Top 5000 (bastante comum)C1noun
 CaptiveHostage
Pronúncia🇬🇧 //ˈkæptɪv//🇺🇸 //ˈkæptɪv//🇬🇧 /["/ˈhɒstɪdʒ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈhɑːstɪdʒ/"]/
SignificadoBeing held or kept in one place and unable to leave.A person who is kept as a prisoner to force others to do something.
ExemploThe captive animals in the zoo seem to miss their natural habitat.Three children were **taken hostage** during the bank robbery.
RegistroNeutroNeutro
Quão comumTop 5000 (bastante comum)Top 5000 (bastante comum)
Nível CEFRB1C1
Classe gramaticaladjectivenoun
Colocaçõescaptive audience, captive animal, captive markethold (somebody), keep (somebody), seize
Antônimosfree, liberated, unconfinedfreedom, liberty
Erros comunsConfused with 'captivated' which means fascinated or charmed., Omitting the context of being unable to leave, leading to misinterpretation., Using it only for people, rather than animals or objects.Confused with 'host' — 'hostage' refers to a prisoner., Mispronouncing the word as 'h-o-s-t-age' instead of 'h-o-s-t-ij.', Using 'hostage' in a non-serious context, which can be insensitive.
Notas de usoUsed to describe animals, people, or situations where someone is trapped or unable to escape.Used in contexts involving crime or negotiation. Avoid in casual conversations unless discussing serious events. Common in news reports or discussions about security.

Perguntas frequentes: Captive vs Hostage

Qual é a diferença entre Captive e Hostage?

Captive: Being held or kept in one place and unable to leave. Hostage: A person who is kept as a prisoner to force others to do something.

Captive e Hostage estão no mesmo nível CEFR?

Captive: B1, Hostage: C1 na escala CEFR.

Posso usar Captive e Hostage de forma intercambiável?

Nem sempre. Captive e Hostage são relacionadas e às vezes se sobrepõem, mas diferem em registro, frequência e uso, então trocar uma pela outra pode mudar o sentido ou o tom. Veja as diferenças acima antes de substituir.