inmate / occupant
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inmate
A person who is housed in a closed institution, especially in a prison, psychiatric clinic, or nursing home.
Der Insasse wurde nach zehn Jahren Haft aus dem Gefängnis entlassen.
The inmate was released from prison after ten years of imprisonment.
The word is made up of 'in' (in) and 'Sasse'. 'Sasse' is an old word derived from 'sitzen' (to sit). So an Insasse is literally someone who is 'sitting inside'—whether in a prison or in a car.
Die Insassen des Heims bekommen dreimal am Tag eine Mahlzeit.
The residents of the home receive a meal three times a day.
'Der Insasse' is a masculine noun of the N-declension. This means it takes the ending '-n' in all cases except the nominative singular.
Die Polizei befragt den Insassen des Wagens.
The police are questioning the occupant of the car.
The context makes clear which meaning is intended. Words like 'Gefängnis' (prison), 'Haft' (imprisonment), or 'Klinik' (clinic) point to a prisoner or patient. Words like 'Auto' (car), 'Unfall' (accident), or 'Fahrzeug' (vehicle) refer to a passenger.
Ein Insasse der psychiatrischen Klinik ist entlaufen.
An inmate of the psychiatric clinic has escaped.
patient
'der Patient' and 'der Insasse' can both refer to people in an institution, for example in a clinic. You say 'Patient' when the focus is on medical treatment. You say 'Insasse' when someone is housed in a closed institution, for example in a prison or sometimes in a psychiatric clinic. The words can be confused because a person in a clinic can be both. For normal doctor's offices and hospitals, 'Patient' is the natural word. 'Insasse' sounds more like accommodation, control, or a closed institution.
Der Insasse darf die geschlossene Abteilung nur mit Erlaubnis verlassen.
The inmate may leave the locked ward only with permission.
Der Patient wartet im Behandlungszimmer auf die Ärztin.
The patient is waiting for the doctor in the treatment room.