Spanish word

preso

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈpɾeso/

Meaning

  • masculine nounprisoner

Example

El preso pidió ver a su abogado.

The prisoner asked to see his lawyer.

Illustration for preso (prisoner)

More examples

¿Viste al preso en las noticias?

Did you see the prisoner on the news?

Core concept

Person held in custody by the authorities.

Common phrases

  • el preso

    the prisoner

  • preso político

    political prisoner

Similar words

prisionero: Person serving time inside a prison institution following conviction.
detenido: Person arrested and held short-term by police pending processing.

Definition in Spanish

Persona detenida y retenida por la autoridad, ya sea temporalmente o tras una sentencia.

Word origin

The noun derives from the medieval Spanish past participle of prender 'to seize', ultimately from Latin prehendere 'to grasp'.

Usage tips

  • In everyday Spanish preso can mean someone temporarily detained or someone serving a sentence, and when emphasizing a convicted inmate speakers often use recluso or interno.

Other meanings

  • convictnoun
  • captivenoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word