Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| prigione | /priˈd͡ʒo.ne/ | feminine |
| carcere | /ˈkar.t͡ʃe.re/ | masculine |
| gattabuia | /ɡat.taˈbu.ja/ | feminine |
| galera | /ɡaˈlɛ.ra/ | feminine |
All these terms refer to a place of confinement.
Which one should you use?
Prigione is the general term for prison. Carcere is a more formal and technical term used in legal and administrative contexts. Galera is an informal way to say jail, often used in common speech. Gattabuia is a colloquial, somewhat old-fashioned way to refer to a jail or a holding cell.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Carcere is a formal way to say jail. Penitenziario refers to a penitentiary. Galera is an informal way to say jail, and gattabuia is colloquial and old-fashioned.
How does it change in a sentence?
When expressing that someone is 'in jail', you use the preposition in directly before the noun without an article. For example, you should say in prigione, in galera or in carcere.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of prigione is /priˈdʒo.ne/. The stress is on the second of the three syllables.
Did you know?
- The word galera originally referred to a 'galley', a type of ship, because prisoners were often sentenced to work as rowers on these vessels.
Examples in context
- Non è in galera.He isn't in jail.This sentence uses galera to show someone is not in jail.Tatoeba #8483058 by Guybrush88, translation #8480871 by CH
- Tom è in prigione.Tom is in jail.This sentence uses prigione to state that Tom is in jail.Tatoeba #3838325 by Guybrush88, translation #2273231 by CK
- È morto in galera.He died in jail.This sentence uses galera to describe someone dying in jail.Tatoeba #8498518 by Guybrush88, translation #8478935 by CH
- Il prigioniero è stato mandato in prigione.The prisoner has been sent to jail.
- Marco è finito in gabbia ieri sera!Marco ended up in jail last night!
- Sembra che Luca abbia passato un po' di tempo al buco.It seems like Luca spent some time in jail.
- 441 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chiara and Lorenzo are discussing a crime movie they just watched.
- ChiaraIl protagonista finirà in prigione?Will the protagonist end up in jail?
- LorenzoSì, credo che sia inevitabile.Yes, I think it is inevitable.
- ChiaraSpero che non resti in prigione a lungo.I hope he doesn't stay in jail for long.
- LorenzoProbabilmente scapperà prima della fine.He will probably escape before the end.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “jail” translations and entries prigione, carcere, gattabuia, galera, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries carcere, galera, gattabuia, prigione, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
