Definition
监狱 (jiānyù) is the standard, formal word for 'prison' as an institution. 牢 (láo) is more colloquial and often appears in set phrases like 坐牢 (to be in prison) or 牢房 (prison cell); it can also mean 'firm' as an adjective.
noun
prison
Easily confused
- 鉴于jiàn yúsound-alike(preposition) in view of, considering, given (followed by a noun phrase)
Examples
- 监狱。Tā yīn qiǎngjié bèi pàn rù jiān yù sān nián.He was sentenced to three years in prison for robbery.
- 监狱，。Zhè zuò jiān yù jiàn yú èrshí nián qián, shèshī hěn jiù.This prison was built twenty years ago and the facilities are very old.
- 监狱，。Cóng jiān yù chūlái hòu, tā juéxīn chóngxīn zuòrén.After getting out of prison, he resolved to turn over a new leaf.
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