How to Say "penitentiary" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “penitentiary” is “cárcel” — use 'cárcel' for a general term referring to any type of prison or jail, especially when the specific type of institution is not important..
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cárcel
NounA2formal
Use 'cárcel' for a general term referring to any type of prison or jail, especially when the specific type of institution is not important.
Examples
El ladrón fue enviado a la cárcel por diez años.
The thief was sent to prison for ten years.
prisión
NounB1formal
Use 'prisión' when referring to a large, formal prison or penitentiary, often implying a state or federal facility.
Examples
El ladrón fue enviado a la prisión por diez años.
The thief was sent to prison for ten years.
Cárcel vs. Prisión
Learners often confuse 'cárcel' and 'prisión'. While both mean prison, 'cárcel' is the more common, everyday term and can refer to any jail. 'Prisión' is more specific to larger, formal institutions and is less frequent in casual conversation.
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