intervenir
/een-tehr-beh-neer/
to intervene
Intervenir can mean stepping into a situation to help resolve it.
intervenir(verb)
to intervene
?stepping into a situation to change the outcome
to step in
?informal conflict resolution
,to mediate
?formal conflict resolution
📝 In Action
La policía tuvo que intervenir para detener la pelea.
B1The police had to intervene to stop the fight.
Si el conflicto escala, la ONU intervendrá.
B2If the conflict escalates, the UN will step in.
💡 Grammar Points
Think of 'Venir'
This word is a 'copycat' of the verb 'venir' (to come). Every time you change the ending, just pretend you are conjugating 'venir' and add 'inter-' to the front!
❌ Common Pitfalls
The Past Tense Trap
Mistake: "yo intervení"
Correction: yo intervine (Because the past of 'venir' is 'vine', not 'vení').
⭐ Usage Tips
When to use it
Use this when someone 'comes between' two parties or 'enters' a situation to make a difference.
In a medical context, intervenir refers to performing surgery or operating on a patient.
intervenir(verb)
to operate on
?medical surgery
to perform surgery
?clinical procedure
📝 In Action
El cirujano tuvo que intervenir al paciente de urgencia.
B2The surgeon had to operate on the patient immediately.
💡 Grammar Points
Using 'a'
When you are talking about the person being operated on, remember to use the 'personal a': Intervenir a alguien.
⭐ Usage Tips
Formal medical context
In a hospital, doctors often say 'intervenir' instead of 'operar' because it sounds more professional.
Intervenir is also used when referring to tapping or intercepting communications.
intervenir(verb)
to tap
?intercepting phone lines or communications
to seize
?taking control of assets or accounts
,to audit
?official financial inspection
📝 In Action
El juez ordenó intervenir los teléfonos de los sospechosos.
C1The judge ordered the suspects' phones to be tapped.
El gobierno decidió intervenir el banco por irregularidades.
C1The government decided to seize/audit the bank due to irregularities.
⭐ Usage Tips
Legal Language
In crime dramas or news about corruption, you'll see this word constantly when the government takes control of something.
🔄 Conjugations
subjunctive
imperfect
present
indicative
preterite
imperfect
present
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: intervenir
Question 1 of 2
Which form of 'intervenir' is correct for 'I intervened' (past tense)?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Does 'intervenir' always mean 'to meddle'?
Not necessarily. While it can mean meddling in someone's business, it often has a positive or neutral meaning, like a doctor performing a life-saving surgery or a moderator taking part in a debate.
How do I remember its irregular forms?
Just remember 'venir' (to come). If you know 'yo vengo', you know 'yo intervengo'. If you know 'yo vine', you know 'yo intervine'. It's a perfect match!