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German vocabulary · Beginner
How do you say "prison" in German?
das Gefängnis
In German, "prison" is das Gefängnis.
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Pronunciation
Pronounced 'geh-FENG-nis', stress on the second syllable, with 'g' hard and 'a with umlaut' like a short 'eh'.
Grammar notes
das Gefängnis is neuter. Plural: das Gefängnisse.
Example sentence
Der Dieb wurde ins Gefängnis geschickt.
The thief was sent to prison.
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How to remember das Gefängnis
Gefangnis comes from fangen, 'to catch' - think of it as the place where 'caught' people are kept.
Related words
- library die Bibliothek
- museum das Museum
- theater das Theater
- cinema das Kino
- stadium das Stadion
- gym die Turnhalle
- pool das Schwimmbecken
- church die Kirche
- temple der Tempel
Browse all German words in the glossary.
Questions about das Gefängnis
How do you say "prison" in German?
In German, "prison" is das Gefängnis. It is a noun.
Is das Gefängnis masculine, feminine, or neuter?
das Gefängnis is neuter. Plural: das Gefängnisse.
How is das Gefängnis used in a sentence?
Use das Gefängnis as you would use the equivalent noun in English. For example: Der Dieb wurde ins Gefängnis geschickt. (The thief was sent to prison.).
Where can I practice German words for free?
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"Prison" in other languages
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