“人质”常见的英文表达是 hostage，读音为英 /ˈhɒstɪdʒ/ 、美 /ˈhoʊstɪdʒ/ ，是一个可数名词。例如：
The terrorists took several hostages during the bank robbery.（恐怖分子在银行抢劫案中劫持了几名人质。）
The police are trying to negotiate the release of the hostages.（警方正试图通过谈判让人质获释。）