刑務所

• Reading: けいむしょ
• Romaji: keimusho
• Kanji breakdown: 刑 (kei) — punishment, penalty; 務 (mu) — duty, service; 所 (sho) — place
• Pronunciation: /keː.mɯ.ɕo/

Meaning

Prison; jail; penitentiary. A facility where convicted criminals serve their sentences.

A noun referring to a prison or correctional facility. More formal and official than the colloquial 牢屋 (rouya, jail/cell). Distinguished from 拘置所 (kouchisho, detention centre) where suspects await trial. Japan's prison system is known for strict discipline and low recidivism rates. The word appears frequently in news, crime dramas, and legal discussions.

Examples

1. 有罪判決を受けた被告は刑務所に送られた。 The convicted defendant was sent to prison.
2. 彼は五年間刑務所で過ごした。 He spent five years in prison.
3. 刑務所の中での生活は厳しいと聞いた。 I've heard that life inside prison is very strict.

Usage Guide

Context: law, crime, news

Tone: serious

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese: 刑 (kei, punishment/penalty) + 務 (mu, duty/service) + 所 (sho, place). Literally 'place of punishment duty' — a facility where convicted persons serve their sentences.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal