internat
/ɛ̃.tɛʁ.na/masculine
In French, 'boarding school' is translated as internat or pensionnat.
Meaning: school which provides board and lodging (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| internat | /ɛ̃.tɛʁ.na/ | masculine |
| pensionnat | /pɑ̃.sjɔ.na/ | masculine |
Both terms refer to a school that provides both lodging and meals for its students. You can use the phrase être en internat to describe the state of a student who is currently attending a boarding school.
Which one should you use?
internat is the more common and modern term, and it often specifically refers to the residential component of a school. pensionnat is also used for a boarding school.
How does it change in a sentence?
Both internat and pensionnat are masculine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
The word internat is pronounced /ɛ̃.tɛʁ.na/ and consists of 3 syllables.
Did you know?
- In France, many public secondary schools have a régime internat that is heavily subsidized by the state to help students from rural areas attend school.
- The word interne is used in French medical settings to describe a resident doctor, which is a completely different professional context from the school setting.
- The word pensionnat shares its root with the English word 'pension', but in French it refers to the act of being 'pensionné', or someone who is fed and housed.
Examples in context
- Il a envoyé son fils dans un pensionnat anglais.He sent his son to an English boarding school.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use pensionnat in the context of an English boarding school.Tatoeba #8998517 by lbdx, translation #1669503 by Spamster
- Elle est allée dans un pensionnat en Nouvelle-Angleterre.She went to a boarding school in New England.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use pensionnat when referring to a school in New England.Tatoeba #12806805 by lbdx, translation #2664612 by Hybrid
- Mon fils va étudier dans un pensionnat à Paris.My son will study in a boarding school in Paris.
- Elle a été acceptée dans un internat prestigieux.She has been accepted into a prestigious boarding school.
- Mon petit frère est au collège en internat depuis l'année dernière.My little brother has been in boarding middle school since last year.
- Elle a choisi d'envoyer ses enfants dans un internat de renom.She has chosen to send her children to a renowned boarding school.
- Les collèges en internat offrent une expérience éducative unique.Boarding middle schools provide a unique educational experience.
- Il vit dans un internat à Londres.He lives in a boarding school in London.
Example conversation
Léa and Nathan are talking about their childhoods.
- LéaTu as grandi dans un internat, Nathan ?Did you grow up in a boarding school, Nathan?
- NathanOui, j'y suis allé pendant trois ans.Yes, I went there for three years.
- LéaC'était difficile d'être loin de chez toi ?Was it hard to be far from home?
- NathanAu début oui, mais j'ai adoré l'expérience.At first yes, but I loved the experience.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “boarding school” translations and entries internat, pensionnat, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries internat, pensionnat, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
