penitentiary
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penitentiary
A historical term for a penal institution in which prisoners were forced to do hard labor and follow strict discipline. Today the term is often used colloquially for a very strict prison.
Früher wurden Diebe für Jahre ins Zuchthaus gesperrt.
In the past, thieves were locked up in the penitentiary for years.
The word is made up of 'Zucht' and 'Haus' (house). Here, 'Zucht' does not mean animal breeding, but is derived from 'züchtigen' (to discipline or punish). A 'Zuchthaus' was therefore literally a 'house of discipline.'
Die strenge Disziplin erinnerte ihn an Geschichten über das Zuchthaus.
The strict discipline reminded him of stories about the penitentiary.
'Zuchthaus' (penitentiary) is an outdated official term that is no longer used in German criminal law. Today the word is usually used colloquially, and often exaggeratedly, for a prison with very harsh conditions.
Für diesen kleinen Fehler kommst du schon nicht gleich ins Zuchthaus.
You won't be sent straight to the penitentiary for this little mistake.
The preposition 'in' is used with the accusative or dative depending on the context. Movement toward the place requires the accusative ('ins Zuchthaus' — into the penitentiary), while staying at the place takes the dative ('im Zuchthaus' — in the penitentiary).
Der Verbrecher wurde für zwanzig Jahre ins Zuchthaus gesperrt.
The criminal was locked up in the penitentiary for twenty years.
prison
Gefängnis generally refers to an institution where people are imprisoned. Zuchthaus is a historical term for a particularly strict penal institution and is now often used only figuratively or colloquially for a very strict prison. Gefängnis is more appropriate for a neutral statement.
In dem historischen Roman muss der Gefangene in ein strenges Zuchthaus.
In the historical novel, the prisoner has to go to a strict penitentiary.
Der verurteilte Mann verbüßt seine Strafe in einem Gefängnis.
The convicted man is serving his sentence in a prison.
