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In Dutch the word for hostage and hostage-taker is the same (gijzelaar).

• toolslive 12y ago
  I'm not sure, but I think semantics shifted throughout the years. I think it used to be "gegijzelde(hostage)" versus "gijzelaar(hostage taker)" now it's "gijzelaar(hostage)" versus "gijzelnemer(hostage taker" or, to be absolutely unambiguous: "gegijzelde" versus "gijzelnemer".
  • toolslive 12y ago
    Just found another one in Dutch: "weerhouden"(to keep versus to hold back), although it only seems to have both meanings in Flanders.
  • rolfvandekrol 12y ago
    Gijzelaar was originally just the victim (hostage), but its meaning shifted over the years and now most dictionaries list both meanings as valid. https://onzetaal.nl/taaladvies/advies/gijzelaar-gegijzelde https://onzetaal.nl/taaladvies/advies/gijzelaar-gegijzelde