How to Say "prisoners" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “prisoners” is “presos” — use 'presos' when referring to people who are officially incarcerated in a jail, prison, or other correctional institution..
presos
/PREH-sohs//ˈpɾesos/
Examples
Los presos tienen derecho a una hora de ejercicio al día.
The prisoners have the right to one hour of exercise per day.
Muchos presos estudian una carrera mientras cumplen su condena.
Many inmates study for a degree while serving their sentence.
Group Gender Rule
Even though 'presos' is masculine, we use it to talk about a group of prisoners that includes both men and women. If the group is only women, you would say 'presas'.
Presos vs. Prisioneros
Mistake: “Using 'prisioneros' for people in a standard city jail.”
Correction: Use 'presos' for legal/criminal contexts. 'Prisioneros' is usually reserved for war or kidnapping situations (prisioneros de guerra).
prisioneros
pree-syoh-NEH-rohs/pɾisjoˈneɾos/
Examples
Los prisioneros de guerra fueron liberados al final del conflicto.
The prisoners of war were released at the end of the conflict.
El guardia contó a todos los prisioneros antes de cerrar las celdas.
The guard counted all the prisoners before closing the cells.
Masculine Plural Form
This word is the plural form of the masculine noun 'prisionero.' It is used for a group of male prisoners, or a mixed group of male and female prisoners.
Using the Singular
Mistake: “Vi un prisioneros en la calle.”
Correction: Vi unos prisioneros en la calle. (You need the plural form 'prisioneros' when referring to more than one.)
Presos vs. Prisioneros
Related Translations
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