Spanish Conversation · Level 42
75 words
Spanish word
encarcelar
Pronunciation
IPA/eŋkaɾθeˈlaɾ/
Meaning
- verbjail
Example
Lo acusaron y lo encarcelaron.
They accused him and jailed him.
More examples
Durante la protesta, varios manifestantes fueron encarcelados.
During the protest, several protesters were jailed.
Core concept
Person behind prison bars after a court verdict.
Common phrases
encarcelar a alguien injustamente
jail someone unjustly
encarcelar a alguien por fraude
jail someone for fraud
Similar words
imprisionar: Confines someone within jail or prison walls, emphasizing physical confinement.
arrestar: Takes a suspect into police custody for charging or investigation.
detener: Halts a person's movement or actions and temporarily limits their freedom.
prender: Apprehends or captures someone, physically depriving them of their freedom.
Definition in Spanish
Hacer que una persona vaya a la cárcel como consecuencia de un proceso legal.
Word origin
Formed from Spanish en- 'in' plus cárcel 'prison' (from Latin carcer), literally meaning to put someone into prison.
Usage tips
- Used when someone is sent to prison as the outcome of legal proceedings, not for brief arrest or detention, which are expressed with arrestar or detener.