internado
/inteɾˈnado/masculine
The English phrase boarding school is translated into Spanish as internado. Wiktionary also lists escuela internada and pensionado.
Meaning: school which provides board and lodging (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| internado | /inteɾˈnado/ | masculine |
| escuela internada | /eskwela inteɾnada/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
| pensionado | /pensjoˈnado/ | masculine |
| escuela pensionada | /eskwela pensjonada/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
A boarding school is a school that provides board and lodging. In many Spanish-speaking countries, the term internado can carry a slightly more restrictive or disciplinary connotation than the English word 'boarding school'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, the term colegio interno is used to refer to a boarding school. In Argentina, the term colegio residencial is sometimes used to talk about boarding schools.
How do you pronounce it?
/inteɾˈnado/
Did you know?
- The word internado is a past participle of the verb internar, which can also mean to commit someone to a psychiatric hospital or prison.
- The word escuela shares a root with the English word 'school', but they both ultimately come from a Greek word meaning 'leisure'.
- Historically, many internados in Spain and Latin America were run by religious orders, which heavily influenced the disciplinary tone of the word.
Examples in context
- Mis padres me enviaron a un internado en México para mi educación secundariaMy parents sent me to a boarding school in Mexico for my high school education
- Mi hermano estudia en un internado.My brother studies at a boarding school.
- El internado está en las montañas.The boarding school is in the mountains.
- Es un internado muy antiguo y prestigioso.It is a very old and prestigious boarding school.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing their childhood memories in a cafe.
- Alejandro¿Fuiste a un internado cuando eras niña?Did you go to a boarding school when you were a girl?
- ElenaSí, viví en un internado durante tres años.Yes, I lived in a boarding school for three years.
- AlejandroDebió ser una experiencia difícil para ti.It must have been a difficult experience for you.
- ElenaNo, hice muchas amigas allí.No, I made many friends there.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “boarding school” translations and entries internado, pensionado, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries escuela, CC BY-SA 4.0.
