Gefängnis
/ɡəˈfɛŋnɪs/neuter
The German word for jail is Gefängnis.
Gefängnis is used to refer to a place for short-term confinement.
Meaning: place for short-term confinement (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word Gefängnis is derived from the verb fangen, which means to catch or to capture.
Which one should you use?
While Gefängnis is a general term for a place of confinement, Knast is a common colloquial synonym used for jail.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Knast is a colloquial term for jail or prison, similar to saying 'the slammer' in English.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Gefängnis is a common term for jail used across Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
How does it change in a sentence?
Gefängnis is a neuter noun, and its plural form is Gefängnisse. To describe someone going 'into jail' (movement towards the location), use the contraction ins (in das) before the word.
Did you know?
- The word Gefängnis shares a root with the English word 'fang', as in the teeth of an animal used to catch prey.
- While Gefängnis is the standard term, some German legal contexts use the term Justizvollzugsanstalt to describe the facility more clinically.
- In German, the word Knast is so strongly associated with the underworld that using it can instantly change the perceived social class of the speaker.
Examples in context
- Er ist im Gefängnis.He's in jail.This sentence shows how to use the word to say someone is in jail.Tatoeba #606229 by virgil, translation #8159733 by TheNightAvl
- Ich bin im Gefängnis.I'm in jail.Tatoeba #4729001 by Kabelsalat, translation #2248036 by CK
- Er kam ins Gefängnis.He went to jail.This sentence shows how to use the word to describe movement into jail.Tatoeba #12478772 by Waldelfe, translation #8479818 by CH
- Der Verbrecher wurde ins Gefängnis geschickt.The criminal was sent to jail.
- Die Haftanstalt befindet sich außerhalb der Stadt.The jail is located outside the city.
- Die Justizvollzugsanstalt besteht aus verschiedenen Gebäuden.The correctional facility consists of various buildings.
- Er sitzt im Knast, weil er das Gesetz gebrochen hat.He's in jail because he broke the law.
- 142 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Laura and Felix are watching a crime drama on TV.
- LauraIst das Gefängnis in dem Film sehr groß?Is the jail in the movie very large?
- FelixJa, das Gefängnis sieht sehr gefährlich aus.Yes, the jail looks very dangerous.
- LauraFelix, glaubst du, er kommt ins Gefängnis?Felix, do you think he will go to jail?
- FelixWahrscheinlich muss er ins Gefängnis.Probably he has to go to jail.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “jail” translations and entries Gefängnis, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Gefängnis, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
