Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| penal | /peˈnal/ | masculine |
| trullo | /ˈtɾuʝo/ | masculine, slang |
| chirona | /t͡ʃiˈɾona/ | colloquial, feminine |
| trena | /ˈtɾena/ | colloquial, feminine |
| gayola | /ɡaˈʝola/ | colloquial, feminine |
| peni | /peni/ (from spelling rules) | colloquial, feminine |
| chironda | /t͡ʃiɾonda/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
All these terms refer to a place for short-term confinement (noun).
Which one should you use?
While penal is listed as a form for jail, it is more commonly used as an adjective (e matter of penal law) rather than a standalone noun for the building itself in standard Spanish.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Cárcel is a standard and widely used term for jail in formal contexts, legal discourse and official documents. Prisión is a common term for jail used in formal situations, legal proceedings and administrative contexts. Several colloquial and slang options exist for informal speech: chirona, trena and gayola are all colloquial, while trullo is considered slang. peni is also a colloquial feminine form.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some Latin American countries, such as Mexico, presidio can be used as an alternative term for jail.
How does it change in a sentence?
The forms provided have different genders: penal and trullo are masculine, while chirona, trena, gayola, peni and chironda are feminine.
How do you pronounce it?
/peˈnal/
Did you know?
- The slang term trena is actually rooted in the Latin word trina, which means 'triple'.
Examples in context
- Le metieron en la trena por ladrón.They put him in jail for being a thief.This sentence shows how to use trena to describe being put in jail.Tatoeba #11439325 by arh, translation #12998956 by carlosalberto
- Chirona es un término coloquial equivalente a cárcel.Chirona is a Spanish colloquial term for a prison or jail.This sentence explains that chirona is a colloquial term for a prison or jail.Tatoeba #11439317 by arh, translation #12772269 by rul
- Pablo fue condenado a cinco años de cárcel.Pablo was sentenced to five years in jail.
- El detenido será trasladado a una prisión de alta seguridad.The detainee will be transferred to a high-security prison.
- El ladrón fue a parar a la chirona.The thief ended up in jail.
- El criminal fue enviado al penal local.The criminal was sent to the local jail.
Example conversation
Sofía and Alejandro are discussing a news report about a local crime.
- SofíaDicen que el ladrón ya está en el penal.They say the thief is already in jail.
- AlejandroMenos mal, que así no robará más.Thank goodness, that way he won't steal anymore.
- Sofía¿Crees que se quede mucho tiempo en el penal?Do you think he will stay in jail for long?
- AlejandroDepende de lo que decida el juez.It depends on what the judge decides.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “jail” translations and entries penal, trullo, chirona, trena, gayola, 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 penal, trena, trullo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
