corredor de la muerte
/koreˌdoɾ de la ˈmweɾte/masculine
The English phrase 'death row' is translated into Spanish as corredor de la muerte. If unsure, use corredor de la muerte. Wiktionary also lists estar en capilla and pabellón de los condenados a muerte.
Meaning: section of a prison which houses those inmates who are sentenced to death (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| corredor de la muerte | /koreˌdoɾ de la ˈmweɾte/ | masculine |
| estar en capilla | /estaɾ en kapiʝa/ (from spelling rules) | |
| pabellón de los condenados a muerte | /pabeʝon de los kondenados a mweɾte/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
| capilla mortal | /kapiʝa moɾtal/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
This refers to the specific section of a prison that houses inmates who have been sentenced to death.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase corredor de la muerte literally translates to 'corridor of death'.
Which one should you use?
While corredor de la muerte is the most common way to express this concept, pabellón de los condenados a muerte is a more formal and descriptive way to refer to the specific prison wing.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Latin America, you may encounter the regional term Pabellón de la muerte.
How does it change in a sentence?
When saying someone is 'on' death row, use the preposition en (in) to form the phrase en el corredor de la muerte.
How do you pronounce it?
/koreˌdoɾ de la ˈmweɾte/
Did you know?
- The Spanish phrase estar en capilla refers to being on death row, though capilla means 'chapel'. This stems from the historical practice of placing condemned prisoners in a chapel to pray before their execution.
- The word pabellón in pabellón de los condenados a muerte shares a linguistic ancestor with the word for 'butterfly' in Latin, 'papilio'.
- While corredor means 'hallway' in the context of death row, the word is also the standard Spanish term for a 'runner' in a race.
Examples in context
- Tom ha estado en el corredor de la muerte durante tres años.Tom has been on death row for three years.This sentence shows how to use corredor de la muerte to describe how long someone has been on death row.Tatoeba #2879929 by cueyayotl, translation #960509 by CK
- Muchos presos en el corredor de la muerte dicen que no quieren morir.Many inmates on death row say they don't want to die.This sentence uses corredor de la muerte to describe what inmates say.Tatoeba #2745512 by teskmon, translation #2034584 by CK
- Ella está en el corredor de la muerte.She is on death row.This sentence shows how to use corredor de la muerte to state someone's location.Tatoeba #959878 by hundo, translation #960478 by CM
Example conversation
Lucía and Javier are discussing a true crime documentary they just watched.
- Lucía¿Crees que es justo el corredor de la muerte?Do you think death row is fair?
- JavierNo lo sé, es un tema muy complejo.I don't know, it is a very complex topic.
- LucíaEl hombre en el documental esperaba su ejecución.The man in the documentary was awaiting his execution.
- JavierEsa situación es realmente aterradora.That situation is truly terrifying.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “death row” translations and entries corredor de la muerte, estar en capilla, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries a, corredor, de, la, los, muerte, pabellón, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
