Inklingo
Dictionary

intervención

een-tehr-ben-SYONinteɾβenˈsjon

“intervención” means “surgery” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:

surgeryB1Noun

medical procedure

Learn more →
speechB2Noun

contribution to a meeting or debate

Learn more →
interventionB2Noun

stepping into a situation to change it

Learn more →

surgeryAlso: operation

NounfB1
A surgeon's hands in blue gloves holding a small silver scalpel over a clean medical surface.

📝 In Action

La intervención duró tres horas pero todo salió bien.

B1

The surgery lasted three hours but everything went well.

Es una intervención sencilla y te darán el alta pronto.

B1

It's a simple operation and you'll be discharged soon.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • operación (operation)
  • cirugía (surgery)

Common Collocations

  • intervención quirúrgica – surgical procedure

speechAlso: participation, remark

NounfB2formal
A person standing at a wooden podium with a glass of water, gesturing with their hands as if speaking.

📝 In Action

Su intervención en la reunión fue muy breve.

B2

His speech in the meeting was very brief.

Gracias por tu intervención, has aclarado muchas dudas.

B2

Thank you for your contribution; you've cleared up many doubts.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • discurso (speech)
  • participación (participation)

Common Collocations

  • pedir la intervención – to ask to speak

interventionAlso: interference, mediation

NounfB2
A person in a bright vest stepping between two arguing people to help them reconcile.

📝 In Action

La intervención de la policía evitó que el problema creciera.

B2

The police intervention prevented the problem from growing.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • intervención militar – military intervention

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: intervención

Question 1 of 1

If a doctor says you need an 'intervención', what are they likely talking about?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family
intervenir(to intervene / to operate) — Verb
interventor(auditor / controller) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes
canciónatención
📚 Etymology

Comes from the Latin word 'interventio', which literally means 'a coming between.' It combines 'inter' (between) and 'venire' (to come).

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: interventionFrench: intervention

💡 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 'intervención' always a bad thing (like interference)?

Not at all! It is a neutral word. It can be positive (medical help, helpful mediation) or negative (unwanted interference).

How do I pluralize it?

Add '-es' to the end and remove the accent mark: 'intervenciones'.