Translation of German word "Gefängnis" to English
dasGefängnis
Meaning
NounA place or institution where people are held against their will, in the US especially for long-term confinement, as of those convicted of serious crimes or otherwise considered undesirable by the government.
How to use
Gefängnis ('prison / jail') is a neuter noun: das Gefängnis (plural: die Gefängnisse). Im Gefängnis sitzen — To be in prison. Gefängnisstrafe — Prison sentence.
🇬🇧 English
prison
Example
Er musste für fünf Jahre ins Gefängnis.
He had to go to prison for five years.
Your personal vocabulary
🦊 Use this word in a live AI conversationSynonyms
Common phrases
- ins Gefängnis kommen— to go to jail / prison
- Gefängnisstrafe— prison sentence / custodial sentence
More Law & Society words
This concept in other languages
📖 Related grammar
Frequency rank: #1337 in German
Learn them all! 🚀
Master the 1000 most common German words with smart explanations, audio pronunciation, and spaced repetition.
Start Learning For Free →No sign-up required
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the definition of the German word "das Gefängnis"?▼
The German word "das Gefängnis" is defined as: "A place or institution where people are held against their will, in the US especially for long-term confinement, as of those convicted of serious crimes or otherwise considered undesirable by the government."
What does the German word "das Gefängnis" mean?▼
The German word "das Gefängnis" means "prison" in English.
How do you pronounce the German word "Gefängnis"?▼
You can hear the correct audio pronunciation of the word "Gefängnis" by clicking the play button next to the word at the top of this page.
Can I see an example sentence with "Gefängnis"?▼
Yes, here is a practical example: "Er musste für fünf Jahre ins Gefängnis." (which translates as "He had to go to prison for five years.").
Other words with article das
Related reading
Der, Die, Das: How to Master German Articles Without Memorizing Rules
A practical guide to learning German noun genders. Discover pattern-based shortcuts, suffix rules, and memory techniques that actually work — no rote memorization needed.
Read →GermanHow Many Words Do You Need to Be Fluent in German?
Discover the science of vocabulary acquisition. Learn how many German words are needed for basic conversations, professional fluency, and near-native comprehension.
Read →