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中文
监狱 — meaning in English: prison
jiānyù · Learn this word with quizzes, examples and more on Maspeak.
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prison
监狱
jiānyù
极限
jíxiàn
卖家
màijiā
情节
qíngjié
测试
cèshì
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neutral
common
Usage
Native speakers often use the word 监狱 (jiānyù) in discussions about crime and justice. For instance, when talking about the legal system, one might say, 'After the trial, the defendant was sent to 监狱 for five years.' It can also come up in news reports or documentaries focusing on criminal behavior.
Synonyms & nuances
A close synonym is 拘留所 (jūliú suǒ), which refers specifically to a detention center. While 监狱 implies a long-term prison sentence for serious crimes, 拘留所 can be used for temporary detainment. Thus, you would use 监狱 when discussing more severe legal consequences.
Culture
The term 监狱 (jiānyù) combines the characters 监 (jiān), meaning 'supervise,' and 狱 (yù), meaning 'prison' or 'detention.' This reflects a cultural emphasis on oversight in the justice system. Historically, the concept of imprisonment has evolved significantly in China, shaped by philosophical ideas about justice and reform.
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