prisonnier
/pʁi.zɔ.nje/masculine
The English word prisoner is translated into French as prisonnier.
The term refers to a person who is incarcerated in a prison.
Meaning: person incarcerated in a prison (noun)
Which one should you use?
While prisonnier is the standard term, you may encounter other forms depending on the context. Détenu is a more formal term for a prisoner, whereas bagnard is an informal term specifically used for a prisoner sentenced to hard labor.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some parts of Quebec, the term détenu may be used more often in everyday conversations than prisonnier.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun changes based on gender and number. The masculine singular is prisonnier, the feminine singular is prisonnière and the masculine plural is prisonniers.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has three syllables and is pronounced /pʁi.zɔ.nje/.
Did you know?
- The word bagne, from which bagnard is derived, originally referred to a 'bath' or 'wash-house' before it became the term for a hard-labor prison.
- While prisonnier is the general term, if you are reading historical texts about the French penal system, you might see the word galérien, which refers to someone a prisoner forced to row in the galleys.
- In French, if someone is a 'prisoner of passion', you would use the phrase prisonnier de ses sentiments, which is a common literary way to describe someone controlled by their emotions.
Examples in context
- Tom est mon prisonnier.Tom is my prisoner.This sentence is useful for showing possession with prisonnier.Tatoeba #5364637 by Aiji, translation #2647944 by CK
- C'est toi le prisonnier.You're the prisoner.This sentence is useful for identifying a specific person as the prisonnier.Tatoeba #2228941 by sacredceltic, translation #2218434 by CK
- Nous avons un prisonnier.We have a prisoner.This sentence is useful for expressing that a group possesses a prisonnier.Tatoeba #7763100 by sacredceltic, translation #2548510 by CK
- Le juge a condamné le prisonnier à dix ans de prison.The judge sentenced the prisoner to ten years in prison.
- Les droits des prisonniers sont protégés par la loi.The rights of the prisoners are protected by law.
- Les détenus doivent respecter les règles de la prison.The prisoners must follow the rules of the prison.
- Les conditions de détention des prisonniers doivent être améliorées.The detention conditions of the prisoners must be improved.
- J'ai vu un documentaire sur la vie des taulards en prison.I watched a documentary about the life of prisoners in jail.
- Les bagnards étaient souvent envoyés dans des colonies pénitentiaires.The prisoners were often sent to penitentiary colonies.
- 46 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a historical documentary.
- HugoLe prisonnier a enfin été libéré.The prisoner was finally released.
- EmmaEst-ce que c'était un film ?Was it a movie?
- HugoOui, c'est l'histoire d'un prisonnier célèbre.Yes, it is the story of a famous prisoner.
- EmmaC'est très intéressant, Hugo.That is very interesting, Hugo.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “prisoner” translations and entries prisonnier, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
