Inklingo

How to Say "external" in Spanish

English → Spanish

exterior

ehks-teh-RYOR/eks.teˈɾjoɾ/

adjectiveA1general
Use 'exterior' when referring to the physical outside surface or part of an object, building, or area.
A close-up view of the red wooden exterior wall of a house, emphasizing the surface texture.

Examples

Pintaremos la pared exterior de la casa de azul.

We will paint the exterior wall of the house blue.

Necesitamos revisar el cableado exterior antes de la tormenta.

We need to check the outer wiring before the storm.

Gender Consistency

This adjective describes nouns, but unlike many Spanish adjectives, it looks the same whether the noun is masculine (muro exterior) or feminine (pared exterior).

extranjero

ehx-trahn-HEH-roh/eks.tɾaŋˈxe.ɾo/

adjectiveA2general
Use 'extranjero' when referring to something originating from or relating to a foreign country, or something outside of one's own country's affairs.
A vibrant red Japanese torii gate standing alone in a simple, generic green field under a blue sky, illustrating something foreign to the setting.

Examples

Mi hermana estudia un idioma extranjero.

My sister studies a foreign language.

La inversión extranjera es importante para la economía.

Foreign investment is important for the economy.

Matching the Noun

As an adjective, 'extranjero' must change its ending to match the thing it describes in gender (o/a) and number (singular/plural).

Gender Mismatch

Mistake: “Compré una comida extranjero.”

Correction: Compré una comida extranjera. (Because 'comida' is feminine.)

Exterior vs. Extranjero

The most common mistake is using 'extranjero' for the physical outside of something. Remember, 'exterior' refers to the physical outside, while 'extranjero' means foreign or from another country.

Related Translations

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