to kidnap / hijack
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to kidnap
To take a person to another place against their will, often in order to demand a ransom. A synonym is 'kidnappen' (to kidnap).
Die Täter haben den Bankdirektor entführt und fordern eine hohe Summe.
The perpetrators kidnapped the bank director and are demanding a large sum.
The verb consists of the prefix 'ent-' and the verb 'führen' (to lead). 'Ent-' often means 'away', so 'entführen' (to kidnap/hijack) literally means 'to lead away', usually against the person's will.
Die Prinzessin wurde in ein fernes Land entführt.
The princess was kidnapped to a faraway land.
'Entführen' is an inseparable verb because it begins with 'ent-'. The prefix remains firmly attached to the verb in all sentence forms and tenses.
Die Polizei ermittelt, wer den Jungen entführt hat.
The police are investigating who kidnapped the boy.
The object of the verb reveals the exact meaning. If you 'entführen' a person, it is kidnapping. If you 'entführen' a vehicle (airplane, ship), it is hijacking. If a book or film 'entführt' the reader, it is meant figuratively.
Die Piraten entführten das große Handelsschiff.
The pirates hijacked the large merchant ship.
to take along / take away
'mitnehmen' and 'entführen' can both mean that a person is taken to another place. The most important difference is the person's will. 'mitnehmen' is neutral or friendly: someone comes along, or something is transported. 'entführen' is very serious and negative: a person is taken away against their will. Learners may confuse the words because both have to do with movement. In practical terms: if someone comes along voluntarily, you use 'mitnehmen'. If force or a crime is meant, you use 'entführen'.
In dem Krimi entführen die Täter einen reichen Geschäftsmann.
In the crime novel, the perpetrators kidnap a rich businessman.
Kannst du mich morgen zum Bahnhof mitnehmen?
Can you take me to the train station tomorrow?