How to Say "domestic" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “domestic” is “doméstico” — use 'doméstico' for animals that have been tamed and kept by humans, or for chores and activities related to the running of a household.
doméstico
Examples
El perro es un animal doméstico.
The dog is a domestic animal.
familiar
fah-mee-lee-AHRfa.miˈljar
Examples
Tuvimos una cena familiar muy grande el domingo pasado.
We had a very large family dinner last Sunday.
Ella trabaja en un ambiente familiar y cálido.
She works in a warm, family atmosphere.
Necesitan un coche familiar para viajar con los niños.
They need a family car (estate car) to travel with the children.
Adjective Ending
Even though familiar is an adjective, it always ends in '-r' in the singular, regardless of whether the noun it describes is masculine or feminine (e.g., el árbol familiar and la cena familiar).
nacional
nah-sio-NAHL (or nah-thio-NAHL in Spain)na.θjoˈnal
Examples
La selección nacional ganó el partido.
The national team won the game.
El himno nacional es muy emotivo.
The national anthem is very moving.
Necesitamos un debate nacional sobre la educación.
We need a national debate about education.
Gender Agreement (Simplified)
Since 'nacional' ends in -L, it is one of those helpful adjectives that stays the same whether the noun is masculine or feminine (el equipo nacional, la bandera nacional).
Placement
Like most descriptive adjectives in Spanish, 'nacional' usually follows the noun it describes (la economía nacional, not la nacional economía).
doméstico
Examples
El aeropuerto tiene una terminal para vuelos domésticos.
The airport has a terminal for domestic flights.
nacionales
nah-syo-NAH-lehsnaθjoˈnales
Examples
Hay muchos días festivos nacionales en España.
There are many national holidays in Spain.
Los vuelos nacionales salen de la Terminal 4.
The domestic flights leave from Terminal 4.
One Form for All
This word stays the same whether you are describing a group of men, a group of women, or a mix of both. You don't need to change the ending to 'as'!
doméstico
Examples
Dividimos las tareas domésticas entre todos.
We divide the household chores among everyone.
interno
een-TEHR-nohinˈteɾno
Examples
El motor tiene un problema interno que no podemos ver.
The engine has an internal problem that we cannot see.
La política interna de la empresa cambió la semana pasada.
The company's internal policy changed last week.
Sentí una alegría interna muy grande después de ganar.
I felt a very great inner joy after winning.
Gender Agreement
As an adjective, 'interno' must change its ending to match the noun it describes. Use 'interna' for feminine nouns (e.g., 'política interna') and 'internos'/'internas' for plural nouns.
Confusing Adjective and Adverb
Mistake: “Usar 'internamente' cuando se necesita el adjetivo. (e.g., 'El daño fue internamente')”
Correction: Use the adjective form: 'El daño fue interno.' 'Internamente' (internally) is an adverb describing how an action is done.
familiares
fah-mee-lee-AH-rehsfa.miˈlja.ɾes
Examples
Esos nombres no me son familiares.
Those names aren't familiar to me.
Las caras familiares en la reunión me dieron tranquilidad.
The familiar faces at the meeting gave me peace of mind.
Adoptamos unos modales más familiares en la cena.
We adopted more casual manners at dinner.
Adjective Agreement
Since 'familiares' is plural, it must always describe a plural noun. If the noun is feminine (like 'caras'), the form is still 'familiares' because the base word 'familiar' is one of those adjectives that doesn't change based on gender.
Placement Error
Mistake: “Unos familiares problemas.”
Correction: Unos problemas familiares. When referring to 'family-related' issues, the adjective usually follows the noun.
intestino
een-tes-TEE-nohintesˈtino
Examples
El partido político colapsó debido a una lucha intestina.
The political party collapsed due to internal infighting.
La empresa sufrió una guerra intestina por el control de la directiva.
The company suffered an internal war for control of the board.
Gender matching
Unlike the noun version, when used as an adjective to describe a fight (lucha) or war (guerra), it must end in 'a' to match: 'lucha intestina'.
Overusing the term
Mistake: “Tengo un problema intestino con mi hermano.”
Correction: Tengo un problema interno con mi hermano.
Doméstico vs. Interno for Country Matters
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