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"Prisión" is a noun which is often translated as "prison", and "cárcel" is a noun which is also often translated as "prison". Learn more about the difference between "prisión" and "cárcel" below.
la prisión(
pree
-
syohn
)
A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
feminine noun
a. prison
El preso se fugó de una prisión de máxima seguridad.The prisoner escaped from a maximum security prison.
b. penitentiary
Regionalism used in the United States
(United States)
La policía llevó al capo de la droga hasta la prisión.The police took the drug baron to the penitentiary.
a. imprisonment
En este caso, el juez declaró que la prisión incondicional era la única posibilidad para el asesino.In this case, the judge declared that unconditional imprisonment was the only possibility for the murderer.
b. prison sentence
El abogado recurrirá la prisión impuesta a su cliente.The lawyer will appeal against the prison sentence imposed on his client.
las prisiones
A plural noun indicates that there is more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
plural noun
3.
A word or phrase restricted in usage to literature or established writing (e.g., sex, once upon a time).
(literary)
(restraints)
a. shackles
El preso rogaba a sus captores que lo liberaran de sus prisiones.The prisoner begged his captors to release him from his shackles.
b. fetters
El fantasma iba arrastrando sus prisiones por las salas del castillo.The ghost was dragging the fetters around the castle's rooms.
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la cárcel(
kahr
-
sehl
)
A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
feminine noun
a. prison
El juez condenó al acusado a 20 años de cárcel.The judge sentenced the defendant to 20 years in prison.
b. jail
Una famosa actriz pasó la noche en la cárcel por manejar en estado de embriaguez.A famous actress spent the night in jail for drunk driving.
a. clamp
Necesitas sujetar las láminas de madera con una cárcel hasta que se seque bien el pegamento.You need to secure the wood sheets with a clamp until the glue dries completely.
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