Korean word

감옥

Pronunciation

Romanizationkamok

Meaning

  • nounprison

Example

그는 감옥에 갔어요.keu neun ka mo ge ka sseo yo

He went to prison.

Illustration for 감옥 (prison)

More examples

그는 감옥에서 석방되었어요.keu neun ka mo ge seo seok ppang doe eo sseo yo

He was released from prison.

Core concept

A controlled facility where people who have committed crimes are kept apart from ordinary society.

Common phrases

  • 감옥에 수감되다ka mo ge su gam doe da

    be imprisoned

  • 감옥을 탈출하다ka mo geul tal chul ha da

    escape from prison

  • 감옥으로 보내다ka mo geu ro po nae da

    send to prison

Similar words

교도소kyodoso: A correctional facility holds sentenced people and helps them prepare to return to society.
구치소kuchiso: A detention center holds arrested people before trial, often for a short period.

Definition in Korean

죄인을 가두어 사회와 분리하고 처벌이나 교화를 목적으로 수용하는 시설.choe i neul ka du eo sa hoe wa pul li ha go cheo beo ri na kyo hwa reul mok jjeo geu ro su yong ha neun si seol

Word origin

Its Sino-Korean formation combines the ideas of watching or managing people and enclosing them, making the word easy to connect with a guarded facility.

Usage tips

  • The word names the institution itself, not only the time spent there, so it fits descriptions of where someone is held as well as discussions of the system.

Opposites

Related words

  • 감옥형kamokyeongprison sentencenoun
  • 감옥살이kamokssariprison lifenoun

Word lists with this word