der Knast
jail
A colloquial, informal expression for a prison. The word is used in everyday language.
EXAMPLE
Wegen des Überfalls musste er für fünf Jahre in den Knast.
Because of the robbery, he had to go to jail for five years.
der Knast
jail
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Meanings
Usage tips
Colloquial style
The word 'Knast' (jail) is very colloquial and is used mainly in informal conversations. In official documents, news reports, or formal situations, it is uncommon.
EXAMPLE
Er hat Blödsinn gemacht und ist dafür im Knast gelandet.
He did something stupid and ended up in jail for it.
Movement and location
Pay attention to the difference with the preposition 'in': Movement into a prison is expressed with the accusative ('in den Knast' = to jail), while staying there requires the dative ('im Knast' = in jail).
EXAMPLE
Der Dieb musste für zwei Jahre in den Knast.
The thief had to go to jail for two years.
Typical verbs
'Knast' (jail) is often combined with certain verbs that describe movement or a state. Typical ones are: 'in den Knast kommen' (to go to jail), 'im Knast sitzen' (to be in jail), or 'aus dem Knast fliehen' (to escape from jail).
EXAMPLE
Viele fürchten, eines Tages im Knast zu landen.
Many fear ending up in jail one day.
Compare with
Knast vs Bau
construction / building
Bau and Knast can both be colloquial terms for a prison. Bau depends more heavily on the context and may sound older or rougher, whereas Knast is familiar in everyday conversation. For an ordinary colloquial statement, Knast is usually the more natural choice.
Knast
Im Alltag erzählt er offen, dass sein Bruder im Knast sitzt.
In everyday conversation, he openly says that his brother is in jail.
Bau
Im alten Roman wartet der Gefangene seit Jahren auf seine Entlassung aus dem Bau.
In the old novel, the prisoner has been waiting for years to be released from jail.
In real life
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