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interna

een-TEHR-nahinˈtɛɾna

“interna” means “internal” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

internal, inner

Also: resident
A single red apple placed entirely inside a simple, clear glass box, illustrating the concept of being internal.

📝 In Action

La política interna del club es muy estricta.

A2

The club's internal policy is very strict.

Tiene una herida interna, no se ve por fuera.

B1

She has an internal wound; it can't be seen from the outside.

Necesitamos hacer una auditoría interna para revisar los libros.

B2

We need to do an internal audit to check the books.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • interior (interior)
  • doméstica (domestic (in certain contexts))

Antonyms

  • externa (external)

Common Collocations

  • vida interna – inner life
  • seguridad interna – internal security

resident, boarder, inmate

Also: live-in helper
NounfB1
Mexico, Central America
A young female doctor in light blue scrubs with a stethoscope around her neck, smiling and holding a medical clipboard.

📝 In Action

La nueva interna del hospital trabaja en el turno de noche.

B1

The new female resident doctor works the night shift.

Mi hermana fue interna en un colegio de monjas por diez años.

B2

My sister was a boarder in a nun's school for ten years.

Contrataron una interna para cuidar a los niños y la casa.

B2

They hired a live-in helper to look after the children and the house.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • médica interna – female medical resident
  • colegio de internas – boarding school for girls

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "interna" in Spanish:

live-in helper→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: interna

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence uses 'interna' as a noun (referring to a person)?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
eternacuaderna
📚 Etymology▼

Comes from the Latin word *internus*, meaning 'inner' or 'inward'. Spanish uses this root to talk about things that are inside a boundary, whether it's a physical space or an organization.

First recorded: 15th century

Cognates (Related words)

Italian: internoPortuguese: interna

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'interna' always used for female people?

Yes, when 'interna' refers to a person (like a doctor or a student boarder), it is the feminine form. If you are talking about a male person, you must use 'interno'.

How do I know if 'interna' means 'internal' or 'resident'?

If it comes right before or after a feminine thing (like 'política interna'), it means 'internal' (adjective). If it is used with the article 'la' and refers to a person ('la interna'), it means 'resident' or 'boarder' (noun).