This is the 1396th most frequent German word.
gefängnis
Prison.
It refers to the physical location of the building used to incarcerate individuals.
Das Gefängnis liegt am Stadtrand.
The prison is located on the outskirts of the city.
It signifies the institution where incarceration occurred.
Er wurde aus dem Gefängnis entlassen.
He was released from prison.
Here, it metaphorically represents a place of confinement.