区别辨析confine、imprison与jail

confine、imprison与jail这些动词均含“监禁”之意。

confine : 指监禁或幽禁;也指任何使行动受到限制的行为。

  • The hostages had been confined for so long that they couldn't cope with the outside world.
    人质被关押了那么久,以致于他们对外面的世界一时适应不了。
  • Keep the dog confined in a suitable travelling cage.
    把狗关进适于旅行的笼子里。

imprison : 较正式用词,多指较长时间的监禁。

  • He was imprisoned in 1965 for attempted murder.
    他因谋杀未遂于1965年被监禁。
  • Unable to go out because of the deep snow, she felt imprisoned in her own house.
    她因雪深无法外出,感觉自己像被囚在了屋内。

jail : (英国用gaol)多指审判之间的拘禁或对罪行较轻的罪犯的监禁。

  • He was jailed for life for murder.
    他因谋杀罪被终身监禁。
  • He was jailed for three years.
    他被监禁了3年。