die  Gefängnisstrafe

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ɡəˈfɛŋnɪsˌʃtʁaːfə/

📜 What does "die Gefängnisstrafe" mean?

Die Gefängnisstrafe (feminine, plural: die Gefängnisstrafen) refers to a punishment imposed by a court, consisting of the convicted person being incarcerated in a Gefängnis (prison, correctional facility) for a specific period. It is a form of deprivation of liberty (Freiheitsentzug).

The word is a compound noun formed from:

• Gefängnis: prison
• Strafe: punishment, sentence

There is only the feminine article die for this word. It signifies a specific type of sentence within the legal system. ⚖️

Article rules for der, die, and das

📊 Grammar & Declension of Gefängnisstrafe

The noun "Gefängnisstrafe" is feminine. Here are the declension tables:

Singular

Plural

Example Sentences 📝

• Der Richter verhängte eine lange Gefängnisstrafe.
  (The judge imposed a long prison sentence.)
• Er musste seine Gefängnisstrafe antreten.
  (He had to begin his prison sentence.)
• Die Dauer der Gefängnisstrafe war umstritten.
  (The length of the prison sentence was controversial.)
• Mehrere Angeklagte erhielten hohe Gefängnisstrafen.
  (Several defendants received long prison sentences.)

💡 Context and Usage

The term Gefängnisstrafe is primarily used in legal and media contexts when discussing crime and law enforcement.

• Distinction: It needs to be distinguished from other penalties like a Geldstrafe (fine), Bewährungsstrafe (suspended sentence / probation), or gemeinnützige Arbeit (community service). A Freiheitsstrafe (custodial sentence, sentence of imprisonment) is a broader term that includes Gefängnisstrafe. A Haftstrafe (detention sentence) is often used synonymously but can have more specific meanings (e.g., pre-trial detention - Untersuchungshaft or U-Haft).
• Context: One might speak of a Gefängnisstrafe 'auf Bewährung' (suspended sentence) or 'ohne Bewährung' (non-suspended / immediate custodial sentence).
• Duration: The length of the sentence is often mentioned (e.g., 'eine fünfjährige Gefängnisstrafe' - a five-year prison sentence).

🚨 Be careful: Don't confuse Gefängnisstrafe with Untersuchungshaft (U-Haft), which is detention before a conviction to secure the legal proceedings.

🧠 Mnemonics

Article 'die': Remember that die Strafe (the punishment/sentence) is feminine. A Gefängnisstrafe is a specific type of Strafe, so it stays feminine: die (Gefängnis-)Strafe.

Meaning: Imagine someone being sent to a Gefängnis (prison) as a Strafe (punishment) for their crime. Combine the images: Prison + Punishment = Gefängnisstrafe (time behind bars as a consequence).

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

Similar Terms (Potential for Confusion):

• Untersuchungshaft (U-Haft): Pre-trial detention or remand; detention before conviction.
• Ordnungshaft: Contempt of court detention; short-term detention to enforce an action (e.g., testimony).
• Jugendstrafe: Youth detention sentence; imprisonment under juvenile law.

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt der Richter den Angeklagten: "Warum haben Sie nur die Geldbörse gestohlen und nicht auch die teure Uhr daneben?"
Antwortet der Angeklagte: "Herr Richter, man soll doch nicht alles auf einmal wollen! Außerdem lerne ich gerade erst den Beruf."

(Translation: The judge asks the defendant: "Why did you only steal the wallet and not the expensive watch next to it?"
The defendant replies: "Your Honor, one shouldn't want everything at once! Besides, I'm still learning the trade.")

(Please note: Crime is not a laughing matter; this is just a harmless joke.)

✍️ Poem about the Gefängnisstrafe

Hinter Mauern, kalt und grau,
endet oft der falsche Lauf.
Die Gefängnisstrafe, schwer und lang,
nimmt dem Leben seinen Klang.

Tage zählen, Nächte bangen,
nach der Freiheit stark verlangen.
Ein Urteil fällt, die Zeit verrinnt,
bis ein neues Leben beginnt.

(Behind walls, cold and grey,
often ends the wrongful way.
The prison sentence, hard and long,
takes from life its vibrant song.

Counting days, in nights of fear,
longing strongly for freedom dear.
A verdict falls, time slips away,
until begins a new life's day.)

❓ Riddle

Ich bin eine Folge, kein Beginn,
nach Unrecht komm ich oft dahin.
Ich nehme Freiheit, gebe Zeit,
hinter Gittern, weit und breit.
Mein Artikel ist feminin,
welche Strafe bringe ich?

(I am a consequence, not a start,
after wrongdoing, I play my part.
I take freedom, give out time,
behind bars, a measured climb.
My article is feminine,
what sentence do I bring herein?)

(Solution: die Gefängnisstrafe / the prison sentence)

🧩 Other Details

Word Composition:

The word "Gefängnisstrafe" is a compound noun (Kompositum) made up of:

• das Gefängnis (noun: prison, place where convicts are incarcerated)
• die Strafe (noun: punishment, penalty, sentence)

The gender of a German compound noun is determined by its last component (Grundwort), which is "die Strafe" here. Therefore, "die Gefängnisstrafe" is feminine.

Trivia:

• In Germany, the maximum duration for a fixed-term prison sentence (zeitige Freiheitsstrafe) is generally 15 years (according to § 38 StGB - German Criminal Code), unless a life sentence (lebenslange Freiheitsstrafe) is imposed.
• A 'lifelong' prison sentence (lebenslange Gefängnisstrafe) in Germany doesn't necessarily mean imprisonment until death. After serving a minimum period (often 15 years), the remainder of the sentence can be suspended on probation if certain conditions are met.