das Gefängnis
prison
A building or institution in which people who have committed a crime are locked up.
EXAMPLE
Der Verurteilte wurde in das örtliche Gefängnis gebracht.
The convicted man was taken to the local prison.
das Gefängnis
prison
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Meanings
das Gefängnis
prison sentence
The punishment of being locked up for a certain period of time; a custodial sentence.
EXAMPLE
Er bekam drei Jahre Gefängnis für den Raubüberfall.
He got three years in prison for the robbery.
Usage tips
Word structure
The word derives from the verb 'fangen' (to catch). The prefix 'Ge-' and the ending '-nis' often form nouns that describe a state or place. A 'Gefängnis' (prison) is therefore a place where one is 'gefangen' (captured/imprisoned).
EXAMPLE
Die Polizei konnte den Dieb schnell fangen.
The police were able to catch the thief quickly.
Correct preposition
Pay attention to the case with the preposition 'in': movement toward a place requires the accusative ('ins Gefängnis kommen' — to go to prison), while being in a place requires the dative ('im Gefängnis sein' — to be in prison).
EXAMPLE
Er musste für zwei Jahre ins Gefängnis.
He had to go to prison for two years.
Use without an article
When 'Gefängnis' (prison) describes the type of punishment, it is often used without an article and together with a time expression. Typical verbs here are 'bekommen' (to get/receive) or 'verurteilt werden zu' (to be sentenced to).
EXAMPLE
Der Angeklagte bekam eine Strafe von fünf Jahren Gefängnis.
The defendant got a sentence of five years in prison.
Context clue
The meaning 'Gebäude' (building) is intended when it is about a concrete place (e.g. 'das Gefängnis besuchen' — to visit the prison). The meaning 'Strafe' (punishment) is intended when it is about a sentence or a duration (e.g. 'drei Jahre Gefängnis' — three years in prison).
EXAMPLE
Das alte Gefängnis in der Stadt ist heute ein Museum.
The old prison in the city is now a museum.
Compare with
Gefängnis vs Bau
construction / building
Both Bau and Gefängnis can refer to the place where people are locked up. Bau is a casual, colloquial term for this, while Gefängnis is neutral and unambiguous. Use Gefängnis in factual situations and Bau only in casual or deliberately colloquial language.
Gefängnis
Nach dem Urteil musste der Angeklagte zurück ins Gefängnis.
After the verdict, the defendant had to go back to prison.
Bau
Nach dem Urteil musste der Angeklagte zurück in den Bau.
After the verdict, the defendant had to go back to jail.
In real life
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