A dark, stone dungeon cell with iron bars and a small torch on the wall.

calabozo

kah-lah-BOH-soh

nounmB1

dungeon?a dark underground room in a castle

Also:jail cell?a temporary holding room for prisoners,lockup?informal confinement area

📝 In Action

El guardia llevó al prisionero al calabozo del castillo.

The guard took the prisoner to the castle dungeon.

Pasó la noche en el calabozo municipal por causar disturbios.

He spent the night in the municipal holding cell for causing a disturbance.

Las paredes del calabozo estaban frías y húmedas.

The walls of the jail cell were cold and damp.

Word Connections

Synonyms

celda (cell)
mazmorra (dungeon)
prisión (prison)

Antonyms

libertad (freedom)
exterior (outside)

Common Collocations

echar al calabozo – to throw in the dungeon
encerrar en el calabozo – to lock up in the cell

💡 Grammar Points

Gender of the word

This is a masculine naming word. Always use 'el' (the) or 'un' (a) with it: 'el calabozo'.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Calabozo vs. Cárcel

Mistake: "Using 'calabozo' to describe a whole prison building."

Correction: Use 'cárcel' for the building. A 'calabozo' is usually just one specific room or cell within a larger building.

⭐ Usage Tips

Historical vs. Modern

In stories about knights and kings, it means 'dungeon.' In modern news about the police, it usually means a 'holding cell' at a station.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: calabozo

Question 1 of 1

Where would you most likely find a 'calabozo'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

encalabozar(to imprison/to throw in a cell) - verb

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'calabozo' a common word in daily conversation?

Not really. You'll hear it in movies, books, or the news, but people don't use it much in casual daily chat unless they are talking about someone getting arrested.

Can I use 'calabozo' for a birdcage?

No, for a birdcage you should use the word 'jaula'.