Meaning
prisoner
In a sentence
Il detenuto parla ogni giorno con il suo avvocato.
The prisoner talks with his lawyer every day.
Hai visto il detenuto nuovo questa mattina?
Did you see the new prisoner this morning?
Il detenuto non è uscito dalla sua cella.
The prisoner did not leave his cell.
Word forms (2)
| Word | Word forms |
|---|---|
| detenuto | masculine · singular |
| detenuti | masculine · plural |
Usage notes
- Detenuto is the standard legal/administrative term; prigioniero is broader and also used for prisoners of war or figurative contexts.
- Use for both masculine and feminine by article: il detenuto, la detenuta. The feminine form is common in official language.
- Often appears in formal contexts like news, law, and prison administration; carcerato sounds more colloquial and sometimes more stigmatizing.