die / der  Gefangene

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ɡəˈfaŋənə/

🧐 What does Gefangene mean?

The word Gefangene is a substantivized past participle of the verb fangen (to catch). It refers to a person who is deprived of their freedom, typically in a prison or as a prisoner of war.

It has two forms, depending on the person's gender:

• der Gefangene: Refers to a male person who is imprisoned or captured. (Masculine)
• die Gefangene: Refers to a female person who is imprisoned or captured. (Feminine)

The plural form for both genders or mixed groups is die Gefangenen.

⚠️ Attention: The declension follows the weak adjective declension because it's a noun formed from an adjective/participle.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📜 Grammar of Gefangene in Detail

The word "Gefangene" is declined like an adjective that has been turned into a noun (substantivized adjective). The declension depends on the gender (masculine/feminine) and the case.

Masculine: der Gefangene (the male prisoner)

Feminine: die Gefangene (the female prisoner)

Plural: die Gefangenen (the prisoners)

Example Sentences

• Der Gefangene wartete auf seinen Prozess. (The male prisoner waited for his trial.)
• Die Wärter führten den Gefangenen ab. (The guards led the male prisoner away.)
• Die Gefangene erhielt Besuch von ihrer Familie. (The female prisoner received a visit from her family.)
• Das Schicksal der Gefangenen war ungewiss. (The fate of the female prisoner / the prisoners was uncertain.)
• Viele Gefangene wurden nach dem Krieg freigelassen. (Many prisoners were released after the war.)

🗣️ Everyday Usage

"Gefangene(r)" is primarily used in the context of justice, war, or other situations where people are detained.

• Correctional System (Justizvollzug): In relation to people in correctional facilities (synonyms: Häftling, Insasse). Der Gefangene sitzt seine Strafe ab. (The prisoner serves his sentence.)
• Law of War (Kriegsrecht): Term for soldiers or civilians captured by the enemy (Kriegsgefangene(r) - prisoner of war). Die Kriegsgefangenen wurden gemäß der Genfer Konvention behandelt. (The prisoners of war were treated according to the Geneva Convention.)
• Metaphorical Use: Sometimes used figuratively to describe someone feeling trapped in a situation. Er war ein Gefangener seiner eigenen Ängste. (He was a prisoner of his own fears.)

Although "Häftling" (inmate) is often used synonymously, "Gefangene(r)" can cover a broader context, e.g., including political prisoners or hostages, while "Häftling" is more focused on penal servitude.

🧠 Memory Aids

Remembering the Article: Think of the person: Is it der Mann (the man) who is caught? Then it's der Gefangene. Is it die Frau (the woman) who is caught? Then it's die Gefangene. The articles match the natural gender.

Remembering the Meaning: The word comes from "fangen" (to catch). Someone who has been gefangen (caught) is a Gefangener or Gefangene – someone no longer free.

↔️ Synonyms and Antonyms

Potential Confusion: Don't confuse with the adjective/participle "gefangen" (caught, captured): Der Vogel ist gefangen. (The bird is captured.) vs. Der Gefangene ist im Käfig. (The prisoner is in the cage.)

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt ein Gefangener den anderen: "Du, warum schauen die Wärter eigentlich immer so grimmig?" Sagt der andere: "Ist doch klar, die haben lebenslänglich – ohne Bewährung!"

(One prisoner asks another: "Hey, why do the guards always look so grim?" The other replies: "It's obvious, they got life – without parole!")

✍️ Poem about Prisoners

Hinter Mauern, kalt und grau,
sitzt der Mensch, sieht nicht die Au.
Der Gefangene, still und stumm,
fragt sich leis: Warum, warum?

Nebenan, nicht minder bang,
hört die Gefangene den Klang
einer Welt, die draußen lacht,
während sie die Zeit verbracht.

(Behind walls, cold and grey,
sits the person, sees no meadow gay.
The male prisoner, quiet and numb,
asks himself softly: Why, why has this come?

Next door, no less in dread,
hears the female prisoner the tread
of a world that laughs outside,
while she just spends her time inside.)

❓ Riddle Time

Ich habe keinen Schlüssel, doch bin verschlossen hier.
Mal bin ich männlich, mal weiblich, das sage ich dir.
Meine Freiheit ist fern, mein Alltag ist karg.
Wer bin ich, gefangen bei Tag und bei Nacht?

(I have no key, yet I'm locked in here.
Sometimes I'm male, sometimes female, I tell you, my dear.
My freedom is distant, my daily life stark.
Who am I, captured from dawn until dark?)

Solution: der Gefangene / die Gefangene (the prisoner)

💡 Other Interesting Facts

Word Formation (Wortbildung): The word "Gefangene(r)" is a substantivization of the past participle (Partizip II) of the verb "fangen" (to catch). The prefix "Ge-" often indicates a result or state.

Historical Context: The status and treatment of prisoners (Gefangene) have changed significantly throughout history, from slaves and ransom objects to modern judicial systems and international agreements like the Geneva Conventions for prisoners of war (Kriegsgefangene).