Inklingo

How to Say "prisoner" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “prisoner” is “preso” — use 'preso' for a general term for someone who is held captive or incarcerated, often used when the legal status is less emphasized.

preso🔊B1

Use 'preso' for a general term for someone who is held captive or incarcerated, often used when the legal status is less emphasized.

Learn more →
recluso🔊B1

Use 'recluso' to refer to someone who is officially kept in custody, especially within a prison setting, often emphasizing the duration of their confinement.

Learn more →
prisionero🔊B1

Use 'prisionero' for a person who is legally confined, often in a prison or as a captive, and it can sometimes carry connotations of being held against one's will.

Learn more →
detenido🔊B1

Use 'detenido' for someone who has been temporarily held by authorities, often pending investigation or questioning, implying a less permanent status than a convicted prisoner.

Learn more →
convicto🔊B2

Use 'convicto' specifically for someone who has been found guilty of a crime and is serving a sentence.

Learn more →
reo🔊B2

Use 'reo' to refer to someone who is currently in jail or prison, particularly in a legal context, often implying they are awaiting trial or serving a sentence.

Learn more →
English → Spanish

preso

PREH-sohˈpɾe.so

nounB1general
Use 'preso' for a general term for someone who is held captive or incarcerated, often used when the legal status is less emphasized.
A simplified drawing of a person wearing a striped uniform standing behind thick vertical prison bars.

Examples

El preso pidió ver a su abogado inmediatamente.

The prisoner asked to see his lawyer immediately.

Todos los presos tienen derecho a recibir visitas.

All the inmates have the right to receive visits.

Gender Matching

Since 'preso' is a noun, it refers to a man. To talk about a female prisoner, you must use the feminine form: 'la presa'.

recluso

ray-KLOO-soreˈkluso

nounB1general
Use 'recluso' to refer to someone who is officially kept in custody, especially within a prison setting, often emphasizing the duration of their confinement.
A person sitting on a simple wooden bench inside a small, plain room with a single high window.

Examples

El recluso cumplió su condena de cinco años.

The inmate served his five-year sentence.

Cada recluso tiene derecho a una hora de ejercicio al aire libre.

Every prisoner is entitled to one hour of outdoor exercise.

Los guardias vigilan a los reclusos durante el almuerzo.

The guards watch the inmates during lunch.

Gender Endings

Use 'recluso' for a male inmate and change it to 'reclusa' if you are talking about a female inmate.

Nouns and Adjectives

This word works as a person (the inmate) but can also describe the state of being locked away.

Recluso vs. Detenido

Mistake: “Using 'recluso' for someone just arrested.”

Correction: Use 'detenido' for someone recently arrested; 'recluso' usually implies they are already living in the prison system.

prisionero

pree-syoh-NEH-rohpɾisjoˈneɾo

nounB1general
Use 'prisionero' for a person who is legally confined, often in a prison or as a captive, and it can sometimes carry connotations of being held against one's will.
A simplified illustration of a person wearing plain clothes, looking out through the thick vertical metal bars of a jail cell.

Examples

El prisionero intentó escapar de la celda durante la noche.

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

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

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

El ladrón es ahora prisionero de la justicia.

The thief is now a prisoner of justice.

Gender Change

Remember that 'prisionero' is masculine. If you are talking about a woman, you must change it to 'prisionera'.

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.

detenido

deh-teh-NEE-dohde.teˈni.ðo

nounB1legal, general
Use 'detenido' for someone who has been temporarily held by authorities, often pending investigation or questioning, implying a less permanent status than a convicted prisoner.
A young man standing still, accompanied by a figure in a uniform, illustrating a detainee.

Examples

El detenido pidió hablar con su abogado antes de declarar.

The detainee asked to speak with his lawyer before making a statement.

La policía identificó al detenido como un sospechoso habitual.

The police identified the arrested person as a usual suspect.

Gender Matching

As a noun, it must match the person's gender: 'el detenido' (male) or 'la detenida' (female).

convicto

kohn-BEEK-tohkonˈbikto

nounB2legal
Use 'convicto' specifically for someone who has been found guilty of a crime and is serving a sentence.
A person in a striped orange and white uniform sitting on a simple wooden bench in a plain room.

Examples

El convicto fue trasladado a una prisión de alta seguridad.

The convict was moved to a high-security prison.

Muchos convictos estudian carreras universitarias tras las rejas.

Many convicts study university degrees behind bars.

La policía busca a un convicto que escapó ayer.

The police are looking for a convict who escaped yesterday.

People words ending in 'o'

This word usually refers to a male. If you are talking about a woman, the ending changes to 'a' (convicta), but the way you use it in the sentence stays the same.

Preso vs. Convicto

Mistake: “Using 'convicto' for everyone in jail.”

Correction: Use 'preso' for anyone in jail; use 'convicto' only for those who have been officially found guilty by a judge.

reo

REH-ohˈreo

nounB2legal
Use 'reo' to refer to someone who is currently in jail or prison, particularly in a legal context, often implying they are awaiting trial or serving a sentence.
A person in a simple orange jumpsuit sitting on a small wooden bench inside a gray room with a small barred window high up.

Examples

El reo fue escoltado por dos policías.

The prisoner was escorted by two police officers.

Los derechos del reo deben ser respetados.

The convict's rights must be respected.

Se sentó en el banquillo de los reos.

He sat in the defendant's dock.

Gender and People

When talking about a man, use 'el reo'. For a woman, the word changes to 'la rea'. This is common for nouns describing people in Spanish.

Plurals

To talk about a group of prisoners, just add 's' to make it 'reos'. If the group is all women, use 'reas'.

Reo vs. Preso

Mistake: “Using 'reo' for every person in a movie about jail.”

Correction: Use 'preso' for general prisoners and 'reo' specifically when talking about the legal process or the person found guilty by a judge.

Preso vs. Detenido

The most common confusion is between 'preso' and 'detenido'. Remember that 'detenido' implies a temporary holding, often before charges are finalized, while 'preso' is a more general term for someone incarcerated or held captive without this temporary implication.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.