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B1 verb 9 min de lectura

internar

Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos internar en 30 segundos

Explicación internar in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should understand that 'internar' is a word used when someone is very sick and needs to stay at the hospital. Think of it as 'going into the hospital to sleep there'. You might not use the word yourself yet, but you should recognize it in simple stories or news. It is different from just 'ir ao médico' (going to the doctor). When you 'internar' someone, they don't come home the same day. For example: 'Meu avô está no hospital. O médico vai internar ele.' (My grandfather is in the hospital. The doctor is going to admit him.) You should focus on the basic idea: Hospital + Stay = Internar. It is a regular -ar verb, like 'falar' or 'estudar'. So, in the present tense, you say: Eu interno, você interna, nós internamos, eles internam. It's important to know this word because if you travel and feel very sick, a doctor might use this word to tell you that you need to stay for treatment. Don't worry about complex grammar yet, just remember the connection to the hospital and the fact that it's a serious situation. You might also see the word 'internado', which means 'the person who is in the hospital'. For example: 'Ele está internado.' (He is hospitalized.)

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At the A2 level, you can start using 'internar' in simple past and future sentences. You should understand that it is used for medical reasons. You might say, 'Ontem, o médico internou a minha tia' (Yesterday, the doctor admitted my aunt). You also learn that we use the preposition 'no' or 'na' with this verb. 'Internar no hospital' or 'internar na clínica'. At this level, you should also be aware of the passive form 'foi internado' (was admitted), as it is very common in news. For example, 'O jogador foi internado depois do jogo.' (The player was admitted after the game.) You are also learning about reflexive verbs, so you might encounter 'se internar' (to admit oneself). If someone says 'Eu me internei', it means they chose to go to the hospital or clinic. This is common for things like 'reabilitação' (rehab) or 'cirurgia' (surgery). Remember to always mention who is being admitted. If you don't say 'me', 'se', or a person's name, the sentence might feel incomplete. Practice saying things like 'Eles vão internar o paciente amanhã' to get used to the structure. It's a useful word for describing emergencies or health problems in your family or community.

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At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using 'internar' in various tenses and contexts, including medical, psychiatric, and social. You understand the nuance between 'internar' and 'hospitalizar' (the latter being more technical). You can use the word to talk about more complex situations, such as 'internação compulsória' (compulsory admission) or 'internação voluntária' (voluntary admission). You should also be able to use the word in the subjunctive mood to express necessity or desire: 'É necessário que o médico interne o paciente imediatamente' (It is necessary that the doctor admits the patient immediately). You understand that 'internar' can also refer to rehabilitation centers or elderly care facilities. You are starting to see the noun 'internação' and the adjective 'internado' used frequently in more detailed texts. For example, you might read an article about 'o aumento das internações por gripe' (the increase in hospitalizations due to the flu). At this level, you should also be careful not to confuse 'internar' with the English 'internalize'. If you want to say you are internalizing a feeling, you use 'interiorizar'. 'Internar' is strictly about physical or institutional admission. You can also use the word to describe historical contexts, like 'internatos' (boarding schools), though you know this is less common now. Practice using the reflexive 'se internar' for voluntary actions, as this shows a higher level of fluency.

At the B2 level, you have a firm grasp of 'internar' and its social and legal implications. You can participate in discussions about healthcare policies, such as the ethics of 'internação compulsória' for drug users. You understand the subtle differences in tone when a doctor says 'vamos internar' versus 'precisamos hospitalizar'. You can use the verb in complex sentence structures, including the personal infinitive and the future subjunctive: 'Se eles internarem o paciente hoje, ele poderá ser operado amanhã' (If they admit the patient today, he can be operated on tomorrow). You also recognize the word in literary or formal contexts, where it might be used to describe someone being placed in a convent or a restricted environment, though this is more specialized. You are familiar with common collocations like 'internar às pressas' (to admit urgently) or 'internar para observação' (to admit for observation). Your use of prepositions is natural, and you correctly use 'no/na' or 'em' without hesitation. You might also use the word metaphorically in very specific informal contexts, like 'me internei na biblioteca' (I holed up in the library), but you know this is figurative. You can explain the process of 'internação' to someone else, including the paperwork ('admissão') and the eventual 'alta' (discharge).

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At the C1 level, you use 'internar' with the precision of a native speaker, understanding all its legal, medical, and historical nuances. You can analyze the use of the word in professional medical reports or legal decrees. You understand the stylistic choice of using the passive voice ('foi internado') to maintain objectivity in journalistic writing. You can discuss the history of 'internatos' in the Lusophone world and how the meaning of the word has evolved. You are aware of the potential for 'internar' to carry a heavy emotional or political weight, especially in discussions about the 'Luta Antimanicomial' (the movement against asylums) in Brazil. You use the word effortlessly in the conditional and all subjunctive tenses. You might say, 'Caso o estado de saúde se agravasse, não haveria outra opção senão interná-lo' (Should the health condition worsen, there would be no other option but to admit him). You understand the difference between 'internar' and 'enclausurar' (to shut away) and can use these words to create specific rhetorical effects. You are also proficient in using the noun 'internação' in abstract or statistical contexts, such as discussing 'taxas de internação' (hospitalization rates) in a sociological or economic debate. Your vocabulary is rich enough to use 'internar' alongside its most sophisticated synonyms and antonyms depending on the register of the conversation.

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At the C2 level, 'internar' is a tool you use with complete mastery, including its most obscure or archaic references. You can interpret the word in classical literature where it might refer to the act of placing someone in a cloister or a remote internal region. You understand the etymological roots of the word (from the Latin 'internus') and how this informs its current meanings of 'bringing inside' an institution. You can write professional-grade medical or legal documents using 'internar' and 'internação' with perfect accuracy. You are sensitive to the micro-nuances of the word in different Lusophone cultures—for instance, how 'internar' might be perceived in a country with a different healthcare system structure. You can use the word in highly sophisticated metaphors or ironies. You might comment on someone 'internando-se' in their work to the point of social isolation, using the verb to evoke the image of a clinical or forced confinement. You are able to critique the use of the word in media, noting when it is used sensationally or clinically. Your command of the verb's conjugation is flawless, including the most complex forms of the 'infinitivo pessoal' and 'particípio'. You can seamlessly switch between the medical, legal, and metaphorical uses of the word, ensuring that your choice of 'internar' always fits the exact semantic and pragmatic requirements of the discourse.

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Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos

internar en 30 segundos

To admit a patient to a hospital or clinic.
Used for medical, psychiatric, or rehabilitation stays.
Can be transitive (to admit someone) or reflexive (to admit oneself).
Essential for discussing health emergencies and formal medical care.

The Portuguese verb internar primarily refers to the formal process of admitting someone into a specialized institution, most commonly a hospital, for medical treatment that requires an overnight stay or prolonged care. Unlike simply 'going to the doctor' (ir ao médico), internar implies a transition from outpatient status to inpatient status. It is a word heavy with clinical and sometimes emotional weight, as it suggests the condition is serious enough to require constant monitoring.

Medical Admission: This is the most frequent use. When a patient's health deteriorates, the doctor may decide to internar them for surgery, intensive care, or observation. For example, 'O médico decidiu internar o paciente devido à gravidade da infecção.'

In addition to physical health, the word is used in the context of mental health and rehabilitation. If someone is struggling with severe psychological issues or substance abuse, they might be 'internado' in a psychiatric clinic or a rehab center (centro de recuperação).

Depois do acidente, foi necessário internar o motorista para observação.

Historically, the word also related to 'internatos' (boarding schools), where students were 'internados' (housed) for their education, though this usage is less common today. Culturally, in Brazil and Portugal, the decision to internar an elderly family member is often a sensitive topic, discussed with a mix of necessity and guilt.

A família teve que internar a avó em uma casa de repouso especializada.

Furthermore, the term appears frequently in news headlines when celebrities or political figures are hospitalized. 'O presidente foi internado às pressas' (The president was hospitalized urgently) is a common journalistic phrasing.

Psychiatric Context: In the context of 'saúde mental' (mental health), the word can sometimes carry a stigma, harkening back to times when 'internação' was synonymous with long-term isolation in asylums. Modern usage focuses more on short-term stabilization.

Ele decidiu se internar para tratar a depressão profunda.

Legal and Compulsory: In legal terms, 'internar' can refer to a court order where a minor or an individual with mental incapacity is placed in a state facility for rehabilitation or safety (internação compulsória).

O juiz ordenou internar o jovem infrator em uma instituição socioeducativa.

Eles vão internar a criança para fazer novos exames cardíacos.

Understanding 'internar' is essential for navigating healthcare situations in Portuguese-speaking countries, as it marks the difference between a routine visit and a significant medical event.

Using internar correctly involves understanding its transitivity and the prepositions that accompany it. As a regular verb ending in -ar, it follows the standard conjugation patterns of the first conjugation group in Portuguese.

Direct Object Usage: When you are the person initiating the admission of someone else, you use the verb transitively. For example: 'A equipe médica vai internar o paciente agora.' Here, 'o paciente' is the direct object.

Tivemos que internar meu pai por causa de uma pneumonia forte.

Reflexive Usage: If you are admitting yourself, you must use the reflexive pronoun (me, se, nos). For instance: 'Eu me internei para tratar meu vício.' This indicates a voluntary action taken by the subject upon themselves.

Ela se internou voluntariamente na clínica de repouso.

Passive Voice: In news reports, the passive voice is extremely common: 'O artista foi internado' (The artist was hospitalized). This focuses the sentence on the person receiving the care rather than the medical staff performing the admission.

Muitos pacientes foram internados durante a pandemia de gripe.

Se você não melhorar, o doutor vai precisar te internar.

Não podemos internar ninguém sem o consentimento da família ou ordem judicial.

When discussing the duration, you might say 'internar por tempo indeterminado' (to admit for an indefinite period). The verb can also be used metaphorically in slang, though rarely, to describe someone who spends too much time in one place (e.g., 'Ele se internou na biblioteca para estudar'), but this is very informal. Mastery of 'internar' requires being comfortable with its medical gravity while maintaining grammatical precision with pronouns and prepositions.

You will encounter internar in several distinct environments, each providing a different context for its use. The most obvious place is the hospital or clinical setting. Medical professionals use it when discussing patient management. If you are in a waiting room, you might hear a receptionist say, 'Precisamos dos documentos para internar o seu marido.' This is the administrative side of the word.

Mass Media and News: Journalists frequently use this verb. Headlines like 'Cantor famoso é internado em estado grave' (Famous singer is hospitalized in serious condition) are staples of celebrity news and general reporting. It serves as a concise way to inform the public about someone's health status change.

O telejornal informou que o atleta precisou se internar após a competição.

Everyday Conversations: In casual speech among friends or family, the word is used to share news about loved ones. 'Você soube? Tiveram que internar a Dona Maria.' It conveys a sense of concern and seriousness that the word 'doente' (sick) alone does not capture.

Minha vizinha disse que vai internar o filho em uma clínica de reabilitação.

O seguro saúde autorizou internar o paciente na rede conveniada.

Legal and Formal Contexts: Lawyers and social workers use 'internar' when discussing the protection of vulnerable individuals. In cases of 'internação compulsória' (compulsory admission), the word is found in legal documents and court proceedings regarding drug addiction or public safety.

O relatório sugere internar o idoso para garantir sua segurança física.

Vou ter que me internar para fazer aquela cirurgia no joelho.

In summary, 'internar' is a word you will hear in times of crisis, recovery, and administrative medical procedures, making it a vital part of the B1 vocabulary for anyone living in or visiting a Lusophone country.

English speakers often encounter specific hurdles when using internar, primarily due to false cognates and prepositional differences. One major mistake is confusing 'internar' with the English 'to internalize'. While they look similar, 'internalize' in Portuguese is interiorizar or internalizar. Using 'internar' to mean 'to absorb a concept' would be nonsensical to a native speaker.

Missing the Reflexive Pronoun: A frequent error is saying 'Eu internei no hospital' when you mean 'I was admitted' or 'I checked myself in'. Without the 'me' (Eu me internei), the sentence sounds incomplete or suggests you admitted someone else but forgot to name them.

Errado: Eu internei ontem. Correto: Eu me internei ontem.

Preposition Confusion: English speakers might want to use 'para' (to) or 'em' incorrectly. Remember that 'internar' usually takes 'em' (into), which often contracts with the article: 'internar no hospital' (in the hospital), 'internar na clínica' (in the clinic).

Não diga 'internar para o hospital'. Diga 'internar no hospital'.

Passive vs. Active Voice: In English, we often say 'He was hospitalized'. In Portuguese, while 'Ele foi internado' is correct, learners sometimes forget to conjugate 'ser' (foi) and just say 'Ele internado', which is grammatically broken.

O paciente foi internado pela manhã, não 'O paciente internado pela manhã'.

Doutor, você vai internar minha mãe ou ela pode ir para casa?

Ele se internou para uma cirurgia plástica eletiva.

Lastly, be careful with the word 'interno'. While it can mean an 'intern' (student doctor), the verb 'internar' is strictly about the act of admission. Mixing these up in a medical context can lead to confusion about who is the patient and who is the trainee.

To enrich your Portuguese vocabulary, it's helpful to compare internar with related terms that describe similar actions but with different nuances.

Hospitalizar: This is a direct synonym for 'internar' in a medical context. It is slightly more formal and technical. While 'internar' can apply to rehab or psychiatric care, 'hospitalizar' is almost exclusively used for general hospitals.
Comparison: 'Ele foi hospitalizado' vs 'Ele foi internado'. Both are correct, but 'internado' is more common in speech.

O médico preferiu hospitalizar a criança para monitoramento.

Admitir: In an administrative sense, a hospital 'admite' a patient. This focuses on the paperwork and the formal acceptance into the facility.
Comparison: 'O hospital admitiu o paciente' focuses on the entry process, while 'O hospital internou o paciente' focuses on the medical stay.

O setor de triagem deve admitir os novos pacientes.

Recolher: This word means 'to gather' or 'to take in'. In a social work context, you might 'recolher' a homeless person to a shelter. It is less clinical than 'internar'.

A assistência social vai recolher os desabrigados durante a frente fria.

Eles tiveram que internar o rapaz por ordem do juiz.

Confinar: This means to confine or restrict. It has a much more negative, prison-like connotation than 'internar'. You wouldn't use this for medical care unless you wanted to imply the person is being kept against their will in a harsh way.

Não confunda internar (cuidar) com confinar (prender).

Depois de internar o paciente, a enfermeira verificou os sinais vitais.

By knowing these alternatives, you can choose the word that best fits the formality and the specific type of 'stay' you are describing.

How Formal Is It?

Dato curioso

The word 'internar' used to be more about moving into the interior of a country (geography) before it became dominated by medical usage.

Guía de pronunciación

UK /ĩ.teʁ.ˈnaɾ/

US /in.teɾ.ˈnaɾ/

The stress is on the last syllable: 'nar'.

Rima con

falar cantar amar andar lugar olhar pensar chegar

Errores comunes

Pronouncing the 'i' like the English 'in' without nasalization.
Stressing the second syllable instead of the last.
Pronouncing the final 'r' too strongly like an English 'r'.
Treating the 'te' as 'chee' (common in some Brazilian regions, but 'te' is more standard).
Missing the nasal quality of the first syllable.

Nivel de dificultad

Lectura 2/5

Easy to recognize in context due to similarity with 'internal' and 'intern'.

Escritura 3/5

Requires knowledge of reflexive pronouns and prepositions.

Expresión oral 3/5

The nasal 'i' and final 'r' can be tricky for beginners.

Escucha 2/5

Very common in news and hospital settings.

Qué aprender después

Requisitos previos

hospital médico doente ajuda ficar

Aprende después

alta cirurgia tratamento diagnóstico recuperação

Avanzado

comorbidade prognóstico triagem ambulatório compulsório

Gramática que debes saber

Reflexive Pronouns with Verbs

Eu me internei, você se internou.

Passive Voice with 'Ser'

O paciente foi internado pelo médico.

Prepositional Contraction (em + o/a)

Internar no hospital, internar na clínica.

Subjunctive for Necessity

É preciso que o hospital interne o rapaz.

Personal Infinitive

Para eles internarem o paciente, precisam de autorização.

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Ejemplos por nivel

O médico vai internar o meu avô.

The doctor is going to admit my grandfather.

Simple future with 'vai' + infinitive.

Ela precisa se internar hoje.

She needs to check herself in today.

Reflexive use 'se internar'.

Eles internam o paciente no hospital.

They admit the patient in the hospital.

Present tense, third person plural.

Você quer internar o seu tio?

Do you want to admit your uncle?

Question form with 'quer' + infinitive.

O hospital vai internar a criança.

The hospital is going to admit the child.

Direct object 'a criança' after the verb.

Eu não quero me internar.

I don't want to check myself in.

Negative reflexive form.

Nós vamos internar o doente agora.

We are going to admit the sick person now.

Use of 'doente' as a noun.

O doutor interna muitas pessoas.

The doctor admits many people.

Present tense habit.

Ontem, o médico internou o paciente às pressas.

Yesterday, the doctor admitted the patient urgently.

Pretérito Perfeito (simple past).

O artista foi internado por causa de uma gripe.

The artist was hospitalized because of a flu.

Passive voice 'foi internado'.

Eles se internaram na clínica de repouso.

They checked themselves into the rest clinic.

Reflexive past tense.

A enfermeira disse que vai internar você no quarto 302.

The nurse said she is going to admit you in room 302.

Indirect speech with 'disse que'.

Nós internamos o gatinho no veterinário.

We admitted the kitten at the vet.

Extended use for animals.

Se ele não melhorar, vamos internar ele amanhã.

If he doesn't get better, we will admit him tomorrow.

Conditional 'se' + present.

Ela foi internada na semana passada.

She was hospitalized last week.

Passive voice with feminine agreement.

O hospital não pode internar mais ninguém hoje.

The hospital cannot admit anyone else today.

Modal 'pode' + negative.

O médico recomendou internar o idoso para observação.

The doctor recommended admitting the elderly man for observation.

Infinitive after 'recomendou'.

Espero que o hospital interne o paciente logo.

I hope the hospital admits the patient soon.

Present Subjunctive 'interne'.

Ele se internou voluntariamente para tratar a depressão.

He checked himself in voluntarily to treat depression.

Adverb 'voluntariamente' with reflexive verb.

A internação foi necessária devido à complicação da cirurgia.

Hospitalization was necessary due to surgery complications.

Noun form 'internação'.

Se você tivesse febre, eu teria que te internar.

If you had a fever, I would have to admit you.

Imperfect Subjunctive + Conditional.

Eles decidiram internar a criança na ala pediátrica.

They decided to admit the child in the pediatric ward.

Specific location 'ala pediátrica'.

O seguro não quer cobrir o custo de internar o paciente.

The insurance doesn't want to cover the cost of admitting the patient.

Infinitive as a noun phrase object.

Muitos famosos se internam em clínicas de luxo.

Many celebrities check themselves into luxury clinics.

Reflexive present plural.

A justiça determinou internar o jovem em um centro socioeducativo.

The court determined to admit the youth into a socio-educational center.

Legal context usage.

Embora o paciente relutasse, foi preciso interná-lo.

Although the patient was reluctant, it was necessary to admit him.

Conjunction 'embora' + enclitic pronoun '-lo'.

É fundamental que saibamos quando internar um paciente com Covid-19.

It is fundamental that we know when to admit a patient with Covid-19.

Subjunctive 'saibamos' + infinitive.

O governo propôs internar compulsoriamente os dependentes químicos.

The government proposed to compulsorily admit chemical dependents.

Adverb 'compulsoriamente'.

Se eles internarem o rapaz hoje, o tratamento começará amanhã.

If they admit the young man today, the treatment will start tomorrow.

Future Subjunctive 'internarem'.

O hospital foi processado por internar o paciente sem autorização.

The hospital was sued for admitting the patient without authorization.

Preposition 'por' + infinitive.

Ao internar o idoso, a família sentiu um misto de alívio e culpa.

Upon admitting the elderly man, the family felt a mix of relief and guilt.

Temporal 'ao' + infinitive.

O protocolo exige internar qualquer pessoa com esses sintomas.

The protocol requires admitting anyone with these symptoms.

Verb 'exige' + infinitive.

A decisão de internar o ex-presidente gerou debates calorosos na mídia.

The decision to admit the former president sparked heated debates in the media.

Noun phrase subject with infinitive.

Dificilmente o médico aceitaria internar o paciente sem exames prévios.

The doctor would hardly agree to admit the patient without prior exams.

Adverb 'dificilmente' + conditional.

A nova lei visa regulamentar como internar indivíduos em surto psicótico.

The new law aims to regulate how to admit individuals in psychotic episodes.

Verb 'visa' + infinitive.

Não se deve internar ninguém baseando-se apenas em critérios subjetivos.

No one should be admitted based only on subjective criteria.

Impersonal 'se' + modal 'deve'.

O psiquiatra hesitou antes de internar a paciente na ala fechada.

The psychiatrist hesitated before admitting the patient to the locked ward.

Prepositional phrase 'antes de' + infinitive.

Caso venham a internar o diretor, a empresa precisará de um substituto.

Should they happen to admit the director, the company will need a substitute.

Future Subjunctive 'venham a internar'.

A família optou por internar o patriarca em uma instituição de prestígio.

The family opted to admit the patriarch in a prestigious institution.

Verb 'optou por' + infinitive.

Internar um ente querido é uma das decisões mais difíceis da vida.

Admitting a loved one is one of the most difficult decisions in life.

Gerund-like use of the infinitive as a subject.

A biografia detalha o momento em que decidiram interná-la no claustro.

The biography details the moment they decided to admit her to the cloister.

Historical/Archaic context with enclitic '-la'.

Pudesse o médico prever o desfecho, jamais teria aceitado internar o rapaz.

Had the doctor been able to predict the outcome, he would never have agreed to admit the young man.

Inverted conditional using the imperfect subjunctive.

A política de internar em massa foi duramente criticada pelos historiadores.

The policy of mass admission was harshly criticized by historians.

Compound noun phrase 'internar em massa'.

O autor utiliza o verbo internar como metáfora para o isolamento intelectual.

The author uses the verb 'internar' as a metaphor for intellectual isolation.

Metaphorical literary usage.

Faz-se mister internar o paciente para que se evitem danos colaterais.

It is necessary to admit the patient so that collateral damage is avoided.

Highly formal 'Faz-se mister' + infinitive.

A despeito das críticas, o diretor resolveu internar-se para uma desintoxicação.

Despite the criticism, the director decided to check himself in for detoxification.

Concessive phrase 'A despeito de' + reflexive.

O documento oficial versa sobre a obrigatoriedade de internar menores em risco.

The official document deals with the obligation to admit minors at risk.

Verb 'versa sobre' + noun phrase object.

Não fosse a urgência, não haveria por que internar o paciente nesta unidade.

Were it not for the urgency, there would be no reason to admit the patient to this unit.

Negative conditional 'Não fosse' + 'por que'.

Colocaciones comunes

internar às pressas

internar para observação

internar compulsoriamente

internar voluntariamente

internar em estado grave

precisar internar

autorização para internar

internar por precaução

internar na UTI

internar para exames

Frases Comunes

Foi internado

— He/she was hospitalized. This is the most common way to report admission.

O meu vizinho foi internado ontem à noite.

Teve que internar

— Had to admit. Expresses necessity, usually by family or doctors.

A família teve que internar a tia no hospital público.

Vão internar

— They are going to admit. Used for future plans or imminent actions.

Vão internar o paciente assim que o quarto estiver livre.

Se internar

— To admit oneself. Used for voluntary psychiatric or rehab stays.

Ele decidiu se internar para tratar o alcoolismo.

Internar na hora

— To admit immediately. Suggests an emergency situation.

O médico viu o estado dele e mandou internar na hora.

Mandar internar

— To order someone to be admitted. Usually said of doctors or judges.

O juiz mandou internar o adolescente infrator.

Internar de novo

— To readmit. Used when a patient returns to the hospital.

Tiveram que internar o paciente de novo por causa de uma recaída.

Internar pelo SUS

— To admit via the public healthcare system in Brazil.

Conseguimos internar o paciente pelo SUS.

Internar particular

— To admit as a private patient (paying out of pocket).

Eles preferiram internar o pai de forma particular.

Internar no convênio

— To admit using health insurance.

O hospital vai internar o paciente pelo convênio médico.

Se confunde a menudo con

internar vs internalizar

Means to internalize a concept or feeling, not to admit to a hospital.

internar vs entrar

Means to enter. 'Entrar no hospital' means just walking in, while 'internar' means being admitted as a patient.

internar vs interromper

Sounds slightly similar but means to interrupt.

Modismos y expresiones

"Internar-se nos livros"

— To bury oneself in books. Figurative use meaning to study intensely.

Ele se internou nos livros para passar no concurso.

Informal

"Internar-se no trabalho"

— To become a workaholic or spend excessive time working.

Desde o divórcio, ela se internou no trabalho.

Informal

"Caso de internação"

— Something so crazy or extreme it requires a psychiatric stay.

A bagunça deste quarto é um caso de internação!

Slang/Humorous

"Internado no sofá"

— Staying on the couch for a long time, usually being lazy.

Ele passou o domingo internado no sofá vendo séries.

Slang

"Internar a língua"

— To keep quiet or stop talking (very rare).

É melhor você internar a língua antes que fale bobagem.

Rare/Regional

"Internar o juízo"

— To lose one's mind or act crazy.

Aquele rapaz precisa internar o juízo.

Informal

"Ficar internado na internet"

— To spend hours on the internet without breaks.

As crianças ficam internadas na internet o dia todo.

Slang

"Internar o problema"

— To hide or suppress a problem rather than solving it.

Não adianta internar o problema, ele vai voltar.

Metaphorical

"Internar a vontade"

— To suppress one's own desires.

Ele internou a vontade de viajar para cuidar da mãe.

Literary

"Internado na academia"

— Spending too much time at the gym.

Ele está internado na academia ultimamente.

Slang

Fácil de confundir

internar vs interno

It can be an adjective (internal) or a noun (intern/inpatient).

As a verb, 'internar' is the action. 'Interno' is the state or the person.

O médico interno decidiu internar o paciente interno.

internar vs interiorizar

Looks like 'internalize' in English.

Interiorizar is for feelings/thoughts. Internar is for physical admission.

Ele precisa interiorizar a lição, não se internar no hospital.

internar vs hospitalizar

Direct synonym.

Internar is broader (includes rehab/psych). Hospitalizar is strictly medical.

Vamos hospitalizar o acidentado e internar o dependente químico.

internar vs admitir

English 'admit' is used for hospitals.

In Portuguese, 'admitir' is more about the paperwork or admitting a mistake.

O hospital admitiu o erro ao não internar o paciente.

internar vs recolher

Both involve taking someone into a facility.

Recolher is for shelters/protection. Internar is for clinical treatment.

Recolheram o mendigo, mas tiveram que interná-lo porque ele estava doente.

Patrones de oraciones

O médico vai internar [pessoa].

O médico vai internar o meu pai.

[Pessoa] foi internada no [lugar].

Maria foi internada no hospital central.

É necessário internar [pessoa] para [motivo].

É necessário internar o paciente para observação.

[Pessoa] se internou para [ação].

Ele se internou para tratar a saúde.

A justiça mandou internar [pessoa] compulsoriamente.

A justiça mandou internar o jovem compulsoriamente.

A despeito de [fato], decidiram internar [pessoa].

A despeito da melhora, decidiram internar o paciente.

Faz-se mister que se interne [pessoa] imediatamente.

Faz-se mister que se interne o doente imediatamente.

Caso venham a internar o paciente, avisem-me.

Familia de palabras

Sustantivos

internação

internato

interno

internada

Verbos

internar-se

reinternar

Adjetivos

internado

internável

interno

Relacionado

interior

interno

hospital

clínica

admissão

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Cómo usarlo

frequency

Very high in medical and news contexts.

Errores comunes

Eu internei no hospital. → Eu me internei no hospital.
You need the reflexive pronoun 'me' if you are the one being admitted.
O médico internou para o hospital. → O médico internou no hospital.
The correct preposition is 'em' (no/na), not 'para'.
Eu vou internar meus sentimentos. → Eu vou interiorizar meus sentimentos.
'Internar' is for physical/institutional admission, not mental internalization.
Ele está internado de pneumonia. → Ele está internado por causa de pneumonia.
Use 'por causa de' or 'devido a' to explain the reason for the stay.
O hospital internado o paciente. → O hospital internou o paciente.
'Internado' is the past participle/adjective. Use 'internou' for the past tense verb.

Consejos

Watch the Reflexive

If you are the one going to the hospital, remember: 'Eu me internei'. Without the 'me', it sounds like you admitted someone else.

Internar vs Hospitalizar

Use 'internar' for almost everything (psych, rehab, hospital). Use 'hospitalizar' only for medical hospitals to sound more technical.

The SUS Context

In Brazil, 'internar pelo SUS' is a very common phrase. It refers to using the free public healthcare system.

Passive Voice in News

When reading the news, look for 'foi internado'. It's the standard way to report that a famous person is in the hospital.

Internal Admission

Connect 'internar' with 'internal'. You are being put into the internal part of the hospital.

False Cognate Alert

Never use 'internar' to mean 'internalize' a feeling. Use 'interiorizar' for that.

Nasal 'I'

The first 'i' is nasal, like the 'in' in 'independent' but even more through the nose. Practice saying 'in-ter-nar'.

Compulsory Stays

Learn the phrase 'internação compulsória' for discussions about public health and drug policy.

Leaving the Hospital

Always remember 'dar alta' is the opposite. You 'internar' to get in and 'dar alta' to get out.

Medical Reports

In formal medical reports, you will see 'solicito internação' (I request admission).

Memorízalo

Mnemotecnia

Think of an 'Intern' (medical student) who works 'Internally' in a hospital. To 'Intern-ar' is to put someone 'Intern-ally' in the hospital.

Asociación visual

Imagine a hospital door with a giant 'IN' sign. When you 'internar' someone, they go 'IN' and stay there.

Word Web

Hospital Médico Enfermeira Doença Cirurgia Clínica Recuperação Admissão

Desafío

Try to write three sentences: one about a family member, one about a celebrity, and one about yourself using 'internar' in different tenses.

Origen de la palabra

From the Latin 'internus', meaning 'internal' or 'within'. It entered the Portuguese language as a way to describe placing something or someone inside a specific space.

Significado original: To put inside; to move toward the interior.

Romance (Latin-based).

Contexto cultural

Be careful when using 'internar' for mental health; it can be a sensitive topic depending on the person's history or family situation.

English speakers use 'hospitalize' or 'admit', but 'internar' covers both and is used more broadly for rehab and elderly care.

Pelé was frequently 'internado' in his final years, making the word a constant in sports news. The movie 'Bicho de Sete Cabeças' deals with the trauma of being 'internado' in a mental institution. News reports about the 'internação' of presidents like Tancredo Neves are historical milestones in Brazil.

Practica en la vida real

Contextos reales

Emergency Room

Ele precisa ser internado?
Onde eu assino para internar?
Quanto tempo ele vai ficar internado?
O médico mandou internar.

Psychiatric Clinic

Internação voluntária
Internação compulsória
Ele se internou para tratamento.
A clínica vai internar o paciente.

Family Discussion

Temos que internar a vovó.
Não quero internar meu filho.
É melhor internar para ele melhorar.
Eles internaram ele ontem.

News Reporting

O ator foi internado.
Estado de saúde após ser internado.
Internado às pressas.
Boletim médico do paciente internado.

Insurance/Admin

Autorização para internar.
O plano de saúde cobre internar?
Documentos para internar.
Taxa de internação.

Inicios de conversación

"Você já teve que internar alguém da sua família?"

"O que você acha da internação compulsória para dependentes químicos?"

"Quanto tempo você ficou internado quando fez aquela cirurgia?"

"Você acha que os hospitais demoram muito para internar os pacientes?"

"Como é o processo de internar alguém no seu país?"

Temas para diario

Escreva sobre uma vez que você ou alguém conhecido precisou se internar no hospital.

Descreva os sentimentos de uma família que precisa internar um idoso em uma casa de repouso.

Imagine que você é um médico. Escreva um parágrafo explicando por que você decidiu internar um paciente.

Quais são os prós e contras de se internar voluntariamente em uma clínica de reabilitação?

Relate uma notícia fictícia sobre uma celebridade que foi internada às pressas.

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

Yes, it almost always implies staying overnight or for an extended period in a medical or specialized facility. It is not used for short appointments.

Yes, it is very common to say 'tive que internar o meu cachorro' if the dog needs to stay at the veterinary clinic for treatment.

Use 'internar' when someone else (like a doctor) performs the action. Use 'se internar' when the person chooses to admit themselves.

Yes, it is the standard term in both countries, though regional accents and specific healthcare system names (like SUS in Brazil) may differ.

The opposite of 'internar' is 'dar alta'. For example: 'O médico deu alta para o paciente hoje.'

Generally no. For prison, use 'prender' or 'encarcerar'. However, for juvenile detention, 'internar' is sometimes used in a socio-educational context.

Yes, it is a regular -ar verb. It follows the same conjugation as 'falar' or 'cantar' in all tenses.

Historically yes, but today it is rare. People usually just say 'estudar em um internato'.

Use 'em', which usually becomes 'no' (masculine) or 'na' (feminine). Example: 'Internar no hospital'.

Yes, it's a very common word used by people of all ages to discuss health issues and medical news.

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