mateka
mah-TEH-kah
How to say it
Swahilimatekamah-TEH-kahsoon
Englishcaptive, hostage; prisoner of warsoon
Frenchcaptif, otage; prisonnier de guerresoon
Meaning
A person seized and held by force, by an armed group, kidnappers or an enemy army, often to demand something in exchange for their release.
Good to know
The same form serves for one person or many: mateka mmoja, one hostage; mateka kumi, ten hostages. Kushika mateka or kuchukua mateka means to take someone captive; kole is an older word for a hostage.
Examples
- Waasi waliwaachia huru mateka watatu jana usiku.The rebels freed three hostages last night.
- Askari hao walishikiliwa mateka kwa miezi sita.Those soldiers were held captive for six months.
- Serikali inazungumza na watekaji ili mateka waachiliwe.The government is talking with the kidnappers so that the hostages are released.
Not yet checked by a native speaker.