Inklingo

How to Say "boarder" in Spanish

English → Spanish

huésped

nounA2general
Use 'huésped' when referring to anyone, regardless of gender, who is paying for accommodation and meals in a private home or establishment.

Examples

¿Cuántos huéspedes se alojan en tu casa este fin de semana?

How many guests are staying at your house this weekend?

interno

een-TEHR-nohinˈteɾno

nounB1academic/formal
Use 'interno' to describe a student, typically male or in a general sense, who lives and receives meals at a boarding school or educational institution.
A young adult wearing light blue medical scrubs, holding a clipboard and standing next to a simple desk, suggesting an intern or trainee.

Examples

El interno de cirugía trabaja 60 horas a la semana.

The surgical intern (or resident) works 60 hours a week.

Todos los internos del colegio deben seguir las reglas estrictamente.

All the boarders at the school must follow the rules strictly.

Mañana le preguntaré al interno sobre mis resultados.

Tomorrow I will ask the resident about my results.

Using the Feminine Form

When referring to a female person who is an intern or resident, the word changes to 'la interna'.

Confusing 'Interno' with 'Becario'

Mistake: “Using 'interno' for a general office intern or trainee who doesn't live at the workplace.”

Correction: For standard office trainees or unpaid apprenticeships, 'becario' or 'pasante' is usually better. 'Interno' often implies living within the institution (like a hospital or boarding school).

pupila

poo-PEE-lahpuˈpila

nounC1formal
Use 'pupila' specifically for a female student who lives and eats at a boarding school or is otherwise under the care and guardianship of an institution or person.
An illustration of a young girl holding the hand of a kind adult guardian.

Examples

La joven pupila quedó bajo la protección de su tío.

The young ward remained under her uncle's protection.

Había tres pupilas nuevas en la casa de huéspedes.

There were three new female boarders in the guest house.

El tutor debe velar por los bienes de su pupila.

The guardian must look after his ward's assets.

Gender Change for People

When referring to a person, use 'la pupila' for a female and 'el pupilo' for a male.

Gender and Specificity

Learners often incorrectly use 'interno' for any student living at school, forgetting that 'pupila' is the specific term for a female student in this context. Also, 'huésped' is the general term for a paying guest and doesn't specifically imply a school setting.

Related Translations

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