Gefängnis

Meaning

1. prison, jail (building)
2. prison sentence

Gender

Neuter

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ɡəˈfɛŋnɪs/

Etymology

From Middle High German (ge)vancnisse, (ge)vencnisse (“capture, captivity”), since 15th century for the place of the captivity, equivalent to gefangen (“caught”) + -nis. More at fangen (“to catch”). Cognate with Dutch gevangenis.

Sentences

Ein Kumpel von mir kommt morgen aus dem Gefängnis frei .

A buddy of mine is getting out of jail tomorrow.