German word

Freiheitsstrafe

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈfʁaɪ̯haɪ̯tsˌʃtʁaːfə/

Meaning

  • feminine nounprison sentence

Example

Ihm droht eine Freiheitsstrafe.

He faces a prison sentence.

Illustration for Freiheitsstrafe (prison sentence)

More examples

Nach dem Urteil musste er die Freiheitsstrafe antreten.

After the verdict, he had to begin serving the prison sentence.

Core concept

A legal punishment measured in time during which a person cannot live freely in society.

Common phrases

  • zu einer Freiheitsstrafe verurteilt werden

    be sentenced to a prison sentence

  • eine Freiheitsstrafe absitzen

    serve a prison sentence

  • die Freiheitsstrafe antreten

    begin serving the prison sentence

Similar words

Haft: A colloquial term for the state of being imprisoned.
Gefängnisstrafe: A formal term for a sentence involving confinement in prison.
Strafe: A general punishment for breaking the law or committing a crime.
Gefängnis: A facility used to house people serving sentences.

Definition in German

Eine gesetzliche Strafe, bei der einer Person für eine bestimmte Zeit die persönliche Freiheit entzogen wird.

Word origin

The compound Freiheitsstrafe is formed from Freiheit, freedom, and Strafe, punishment, with the first element specifying what the punishment takes away.

Usage tips

  • The phrase jemandem droht eine Freiheitsstrafe uses the dative form jemandem for the person facing the sentence.

Other meanings

  • imprisonmentnoun
  • custodial sentencenoun

Opposites

Related words

  • Freiheitsentzugdeprivation of libertynoun
  • freiheitsberaubendliberty-deprivingadjective

Word lists with this word