01
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
'der Bau' and 'der Knast' can both informally mean jail or prison. In this meaning, they are very similar and are mainly used in spoken, casual language. 'der Knast' clearly means a jail or prison. 'der Bau', however, can also have many other meanings, for example a building, a construction site, or an animal's den. That is why 'der Bau' can easily be misunderstood if the context is not clear. For learners, the important point is: only in a suitable context involving punishment or prison does 'der Bau' mean the same thing as 'der Knast'.
Knast
Sein Bruder kam wegen des Diebstahls in den Knast.
His brother went to jail because of the theft.
Bau
Nach dem Urteil musste er für zwei Jahre in den Bau.
After the verdict, he had to go to jail for two years.
In real life
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