der Geiselnehmer
Translation
hostage-taker, captor
Examples
Der Geiselnehmer stellte Forderungen.
The hostage-taker made demands.
Die Polizei verhandelte mit dem Geiselnehmer.
The police negotiated with the hostage-taker.
Grammar Patterns
to negotiate with ((sb.)) The police negotiated with the hostage-taker.
Similar Words
Synonyms: Entführer (kidnapper); Antonyms: Befreier (liberator)
Etymology
From 'Geisel' (hostage) + 'Nehmer' (taker), which comes from the verb 'nehmen' (to take). Literally a 'hostage-taker'.
Memory Tips
Think of it as a compound word: 'Geisel' (hostage) + 'Nehmer' (taker). The person who *takes* the hostage.