Inklingo
← Dictionary

prisionero

pree-syoh-NEH-roh/pɾisjoˈneɾo/

“prisionero” means “prisoner” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

prisoner, captive

Also: POW (prisoner of war), inmate
NounmB1
A simplified illustration of a person wearing plain clothes, looking out through the thick vertical metal bars of a jail cell.

📝 In Action

El prisionero intentó escapar de la celda durante la noche.

B1

The prisoner tried to escape from the cell during the night.

Hubo un intercambio de prisioneros de guerra entre los dos países.

B2

There was an exchange of prisoners of war between the two countries.

El ladrón es ahora prisionero de la justicia.

C1

The thief is now a prisoner of justice.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • cautivo (captive)
  • recluso (inmate)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • tomar prisionero – to take captive/prisoner
  • liberar al prisionero – to free the prisoner

captive, imprisoned

Also: trapped
AdjectivemB2neutral/formal
A close-up view showing a pair of wrists tightly bound together with a thick brown rope.

📝 In Action

El soldado prisionero se negó a dar información.

B2

The captive soldier refused to give information.

Se sentía prisionero de sus deudas.

C1

He felt trapped by his debts (literally: a prisoner of his debts).

La mente prisionera no podía pensar con claridad.

C2

The imprisoned mind could not think clearly.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • estado prisionero – captive state
  • pueblo prisionero – captive people

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "prisionero" in Spanish:

captive→imprisoned→inmate→prisoner→trapped→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: prisionero

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence correctly uses 'prisionero' as an adjective?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
prisión(prison, jail) — Noun
prisionera(female prisoner) — Noun
aprisionar(to imprison, to trap) — Verb
🎵 Rhymes▼
carnerodinero
📚 Etymology▼

The word comes from the Latin root *prensio*, meaning 'a seizing' or 'a taking.' This root evolved into the Spanish word for the place of confinement, *prisión*, and then into *prisionero* to describe the person being held there.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: prisioneiroItalian: prigioniero

💡 Master Spanish

Take your Spanish to the next level. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories tailored to your level with the Inklingo app!

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.