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March 24, 2026
监狱(監獄)jiānyù(jian1yu4)
监狱 (jiān yù) refers to a facility where individuals are incarcerated as punishment for crimes. It is commonly used in legal and social contexts, often associated with discussions about criminal justice, rehabilitation, and human rights.
Frequency#685DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In China, discussions around 监狱 can reflect societal attitudes towards crime and punishment, including a blend of traditional and modern perspectives on rehabilitation versus retribution.
Memory Tip
Think of 监 (jiān) as a watchtower, where guards monitor prisoners, and 狱 (yù) as a 'yucky' place where people don’t want to end up. Together, they depict a place where one is watched over while being in a negative environment.
Meanings of 监狱
jiānyù(jian1yu4)
1prison
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 监狱
监狱Simplified
監獄Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#685Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 监狱
Podcast: 监狱
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AI Study Notes for 监狱
Quick Contrast
监狱 (jiānyù) vs 拘留所 (jūliú suǒ): 监狱 refers to a prison for long-term incarceration, while 拘留所 is a detention center for holding individuals temporarily.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 监 (jiān) as a watchtower, where guards monitor prisoners, and 狱 (yù) as a 'yucky' place where people don’t want to end up. Together, they depict a place where one is watched over while being in a negative environment.
Usage Notes
Be cautious with the tone when pronouncing 监狱, as using the wrong tone can change its meaning entirely. It is typically a formal term, often used in legal discussions or when referring to the justice system. Common collocations include '监狱生活' (prison life) and '监狱管理' (prison management).
HSK Study Tips
As a Level 6 HSK word, 监狱 is often encountered in advanced discussions about law, society, and crime. Students should focus on context and usage in formal situations as well as related vocabulary about justice and crime.
Cultural Note
In China, discussions around 监狱 can reflect societal attitudes towards crime and punishment, including a blend of traditional and modern perspectives on rehabilitation versus retribution.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 监狱 (prison) with 看守所 (guard house), which is a place for temporary detention. Remember that 监狱 is for serving sentences, while 看守所 is for holding individuals before trial.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 监狱
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Grammar Patterns of 监狱
监狱 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
他在得克萨斯____服刑时学会了这首歌。
He learned this song as an inmate at a Texas prison.
Example Sentences for 监狱 (10)
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1
他在得克萨斯监狱服刑时学会了这首歌。
tā zài dé kè sà sī jiān yù fú xíng shí xué huì le zhè shǒu gē。
He learned this song as an inmate at a Texas prison.
Many are employed in the prison's wood and metalwork factories.
7
你是说他们把太多人关进了监狱？
nǐ shì shuō tā mén bǎ tài duō rén guān jìn le jiān yù？
You're saying they are sending too many people to prison?
8
加西亚先生说他对监狱中发生的事件问心无愧。
jiā xī yà xiān shēng shuō tā duì jiān yù zhōng fā shēng de shì jiàn wèn xīn wú kuì。
Mr Garcia said his conscience was clear over the jail incidents.
9
她对英国的监狱问题只有些许模糊的认识。
tā duì yīng guó de jiān yù wèn tí zhī yǒu xiē xǔ mó hū de rèn shí。
She had only a hazy idea of Britain's prison problems.
10
昨晚他被单独监禁在道格拉斯的监狱里。
zuó wǎn tā bèi dān dú jiān jīn zài dào gé lā sī de jiān yù lǐ。
Last night he was being held in solitary confinement in Douglas jail.
Cultural Notes for 监狱
🏮Cultural insight
In China, discussions around 监狱 can reflect societal attitudes towards crime and punishment, including a blend of traditional and modern perspectives on rehabilitation versus retribution.
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
In Western cultures, prisons often emphasize rehabilitation, while in China, there can be a stronger focus on punishment and social order.
Frequently Asked Questions about 监狱
监狱 refers specifically to prisons for long-term incarceration, while 拘留所 refers to detention centers for short-term holding.
Yes, it can be used metaphorically to describe situations where one feels trapped or restricted.
It's more common in formal discussions or media reports rather than casual conversations.
