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    Chinese Grammar

    Using 人质 (rénzhì) to express "hostage"

    Topic & Focus

    Structure

    Number/多 + 名 + 人质

    Explanation

    The noun 人质 (rénzhì) means "hostage" and refers to a person held captive as leverage in a conflict or negotiation. It frequently appears in news reports about armed conflicts or kidnappings. A common pattern is 名 + 人质, where 名 is a measure word for people, as in 多名人质 (multiple hostages).

    Examples

    • 所有人质最终都被安全释放了。

      suǒyǒu rénzhì zuìzhōng dōu bèi ānquán shìfàng le.

      All the hostages were eventually released safely.

    • 警方正在全力营救被绑架的人质。

      jǐngfāng zhèngzài quánlì yíngjiù bèi bǎngjià de rénzhì.

      The police are making every effort to rescue the kidnapped hostages.

    • 恐怖分子手里还有五名人质。

      kǒngbù fènzǐ shǒu lǐ hái yǒu wǔ míng rénzhì.

      The terrorists still have five hostages in their hands.