prisionero
/pree-syoh-NEH-roh/
prisoner
This image illustrates prisionero as a noun, meaning 'prisoner,' a person legally confined.
prisionero(noun)
prisoner
?a person legally confined
,captive
?someone held against their will
POW (prisoner of war)
?military context
,inmate
?formal use for someone in jail
📝 In Action
El prisionero intentó escapar de la celda durante la noche.
B1The prisoner tried to escape from the cell during the night.
Hubo un intercambio de prisioneros de guerra entre los dos países.
B2There was an exchange of prisoners of war between the two countries.
El ladrón es ahora prisionero de la justicia.
C1The thief is now a prisoner of justice.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender Change
Remember that 'prisionero' is masculine. If you are talking about a woman, you must change it to 'prisionera'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing Noun and Location
Mistake: "Using 'prisión' when you mean 'prisionero'."
Correction: A 'prisión' is the place (prison/jail), and a 'prisionero' is the person. They are not interchangeable.
⭐ Usage Tips
Formal Context
When referring to people held in a standard jail or penitentiary, 'recluso' is sometimes used instead of 'prisionero' for a more formal tone.
Here, prisionero is used as an adjective, meaning 'captive' or held and confined.
prisionero(adjective)
captive
?held or confined
,imprisoned
?in a state of confinement
trapped
?figurative sense, e.g., 'trapped by fear'
📝 In Action
El soldado prisionero se negó a dar información.
B2The captive soldier refused to give information.
Se sentía prisionero de sus deudas.
C1He felt trapped by his debts (literally: a prisoner of his debts).
La mente prisionera no podía pensar con claridad.
C2The imprisoned mind could not think clearly.
💡 Grammar Points
Adjective Agreement
As an adjective, 'prisionero' must match the gender and number of the noun it describes. (e.g., 'soldado prisionero' but 'soldada prisionera').
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using the Adjective Invariably
Mistake: "Decir 'la mujer prisionero' (The prisoner woman)."
Correction: It must agree: 'la mujer prisionera'. Adjectives always follow the noun's rules!
⭐ Usage Tips
Figurative Use
You can use 'prisionero' metaphorically to describe feeling trapped by emotions, circumstances, or habits (e.g., 'prisionero del miedo' - prisoner of fear).
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: prisionero
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence correctly uses 'prisionero' as an adjective?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'prisionero' and 'prisión'?
'Prisión' (feminine noun) is the place where someone is kept—the jail or prison. 'Prisionero' (masculine noun) is the person who is being kept there—the captive.
Can 'prisionero' be used for both criminals and political captives?
Yes, absolutely. 'Prisionero' is a general term for anyone held against their will or confined by authority, whether due to a crime, war, or political reasons.