Der Dieb wurde nach dem langen Prozess für drei Jahre ins Gefängnis geschickt.
English: The thief was sent to jail for three years after the long trial.
Gefängnis /ɡəfˈɛŋnɪs/ · noun · CEFR B2. German translation of "jail".
See also: Vocabulary entry (German)
- Source term
- jail
- Translation
- Gefängnis
- CEFR Level
- B2
- Part of speech
- noun
- Image
Pronunciation audio — Open the full phoneme overview
Listen to how "Gefängnis" sounds in German.
Article, Gender & Forms
German article/gender note: learn this word with the article "das".
| Dictionary form | Gefängnis |
|---|---|
| Article | das |
| Gender/article class | neuter |
| Plural | varies by noun |
How to use it in a sentence
- Pattern
- Subject + verb + das Gefängnis
- Examples
- Das ist das Gefängnis.
- Tip
- Use the article with the noun when the language normally requires one.
Example Sentences
Er besuchte seinen Cousin alle zwei Wochen sonntagnachmittags im Gefängnis, zwei Jahre lang.
English: He visited his cousin in jail every other Sunday afternoon for two years.
Wenn sie das Gesetz noch einmal bricht, könnte sie viele Monate im Gefängnis verbringen.
English: If she breaks the law again, she could spend many months in jail.
Related vocabulary
Practice this in SmartWords
Move from lookup to repetition with guided vocabulary exercises, saved words, and CEFR-based lesson paths.
Keep exploring
Play SmartWords games
Six word games built around our real vocabulary — free in the browser, no install.
Open the game hub →-
Word Sling
Match the center word under time pressure and keep the combo alive.
Play now → -
Word Gate
Fly through the correct gate before the speed ramps up.
Play now → -
Word Ninja
Slice the goal-language words, avoid the main-language decoy, and chase the announced bonus target.
Play now → -
Word Zip
Trace a single path across the board, hit each letter anchor in order, and fill every open cell.
Play now → -
Word Oddity
Pick the word that doesn't belong from a topic-driven set — every tap reveals all four meanings and images so the round becomes a flash-card too.
Play now → -
Word Memory
Flip and match goal-language words to their main-language meaning before your lives run out.
Play now →