牢(ろう)

ろう
noun
prison, jail, cell
literarybuilding
1. prison, jail, prison cell
A place of confinement for prisoners. Has a somewhat literary or historical flavor compared to the more modern 刑務所(けいむしょ). Often evokes images of traditional or historical prisons with bars and dungeons.
罪人(ざいにん)は牢(ろう)に入(い)れられた。
The criminal was thrown into prison.
彼(かれ)は十年間(じゅうねんかん)牢(ろう)の中(なか)で過(す)ごした。
He spent ten years in prison.
小説(しょうせつ)の主人公(しゅじんこう)は無実(むじつ)の罪(つみ)で牢(ろう)に入(い)れられたが、仲間(なかま)の助(たす)けで脱獄(だつごく)に成功(せいこう)した。
The novel's protagonist was imprisoned on a false charge but succeeded in escaping with the help of his companions.

Usage

More literary and evocative than 刑務所(けいむしょ) (prison, penitentiary) or 留置場(りゅうちじょう) (detention center). Frequently appears in historical fiction, fantasy, and dramatic contexts. In everyday conversation about the modern justice system, 刑務所(けいむしょ) is preferred.

Compounds

  • 牢屋(ろうや): prison, jail cell (more colloquial)
  • 牢獄(ろうごく): prison, dungeon (literary)
  • 入牢(にゅうろう): imprisonment (historical)
  • 脱牢(だつろう): prison break (historical)

Common collocations

Related Words

Compare: 刑務所(けいむしょ) (prison (modern))
Compare: 聴覚(ちょうかく)障害(しょうがい) (hearing impairment)
general
Added 2026.2.26 18:52 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
13500/13598_rou