internar
“internar” means “to admit” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
to admit
Also: to intern, to commit
📝 In Action
Tuvieron que internar a mi abuela para hacerle unas pruebas.
A2They had to admit my grandmother to run some tests.
El juez ordenó internar al joven en un reformatorio.
B2The judge ordered the young man to be sent to a juvenile detention center.
Sus padres lo internaron en un colegio privado en Suiza.
B1His parents sent him to a private boarding school in Switzerland.
to go deep into
Also: to delve into
📝 In Action
Los excursionistas se internaron en el bosque sin brújula.
B1The hikers went deep into the forest without a compass.
Es peligroso internarse en esas cuevas sin equipo.
B2It is dangerous to go deep into those caves without equipment.
Para resolver el misterio, tuvo que internarse en los archivos antiguos.
C1To solve the mystery, she had to delve deep into the ancient archives.
🔄 Conjugations
subjunctive
imperfect
present
indicative
preterite
imperfect
present
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: internar
Question 1 of 3
If someone is very ill and needs to stay at the hospital, what do you do?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Spanish word 'interno' (internal), which comes from the Latin 'internus', meaning 'within' or 'inward'. It describes the act of putting something or someone 'inside' a system or a place.
First recorded: 16th century
Cognates (Related words)
💡 Master Spanish
Take your Spanish to the next level. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories tailored to your level with the Inklingo app!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'internar' only for hospitals?
No, it can be used for hospitals, psychiatric clinics, prisons, or boarding schools. Basically, any place where someone is formally admitted to stay for a duration.
What is the difference between 'entrar' and 'internarse'?
'Entrar' just means to walk in. 'Internarse' means to go deep inside, often to a point where it is harder to get out or you are surrounded by the environment (like a deep forest).
Does it mean the same as 'intern' in English (as in a trainee)?
Not exactly. While related, the person doing the training is an 'interno' or 'pasante'. The verb 'internar' specifically refers to the act of admitting or going deep into something.