ransom
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ransom
A sum of money or another service that is demanded and paid for the release of a kidnapped person or the return of stolen or seized property.
Die Entführer verlangten ein Lösegeld in Höhe von einer Million Euro.
The kidnappers demanded a ransom of one million euros.
'Lösegeld' (ransom) consists of the stem of the verb 'lösen' (in the sense of to free or release) and the noun 'das Geld' (money). So it is literally 'money for freeing someone or something'.
Historisch war die Zahlung von Lösegeld für adlige Gefangene üblich.
Historically, the payment of ransom for noble prisoners was common.
The most common verbs in connection with ransom are 'fordern' or 'verlangen' (to demand, from the kidnappers' point of view) and 'zahlen' or 'übergeben' (to pay or hand over, from the other side's point of view).
Die Polizei riet davon ab, das geforderte Lösegeld zu zahlen.
The police advised against paying the demanded ransom.
The demand is often expressed with a prepositional construction that names the amount and the purpose. The structure 'Lösegeld in Höhe von ... für ...' (ransom in the amount of ... for ...) is typical.
Es wurde ein Lösegeld für die Freilassung der Geiseln verlangt.
A ransom was demanded for the release of the hostages.
deposit / bail
'die Kaution' and 'das Lösegeld' are both sums of money that can have to do with security or release. However, 'Kaution' is legal or contractual security, for example for an apartment, a rental car, or in court. You often get it back if everything is handled correctly. 'Lösegeld' is demanded in a kidnapping or extortion case so that a person is released or something is returned. The words can be confused because in both cases money is paid. The important difference is: 'Kaution' is security, while 'Lösegeld' is a demand made by perpetrators.
Die Entführer forderten ein hohes Lösegeld.
The kidnappers demanded a large ransom.
Für die neue Wohnung muss Lisa drei Monatsmieten Kaution zahlen.
Lisa has to pay a security deposit equal to three months' rent for the new apartment.