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"Confinar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to confine", and "internar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to commit to". Learn more about the difference between "confinar" and "internar" below.
confinar(
kohm
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fee
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nahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to confine
En esta horrible cárcel, confinan a presos en celdas minúsculas.In this dreadful prison, prisoners are confined in tiny cells.
2. (to exile)
a. to banish
El dictador confinó del país a los poetas más revolucionarios.The most revolutionary poets were banished from the country by the dictator.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. to border
El país confina con el Mar Rojo por el oeste.The country borders the Red Sea to the west.
confinarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to shut oneself away
Marcos se confinó en su habitación y no dejó entrar a nadie durante dos días.Marcos shut himself away in his room and didn't let anyone in for two days.
internar(
een
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tehr
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nahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to send to)
a. to commit to (a mental institution)
El psiquiatra recomendó internar al paciente en la clínica.The patient was committed to the institution on his psychiatrist's recommendation.
b. to put in (a mental institution)
Dicen que han internado al actor famoso en un psiquiátrico.They say that the famous actor has been put in a psychiatric hospital.
c. to admit to (the hospital)
El diagnóstico indicaba que había que internar al enfermo.The diagnosis indicated that the patient should be admitted.
d. to take to (the hospital)
La familia se sentía más segura internando al abuelo en el hospital.The family felt safer taking my grandfather to the hospital.
e. to intern (the military)
Sería una locura que el ejército interne a personas sin ningún tipo de preparación física.It would be crazy for the army to intern people without any sort of physical preparation.
a. to send inland
Los secuestradores internaron a los rehenes en el bosque.The kidnappers sent the hostages inland into the forest.
internarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to penetrate
El barco se internó en el misterioso Triángulo de las Bermudas.The ship penetrated the mysterious Bermuda Triangle.
b. to advance deep
El todoterreno se internó en la frondosa jungla amazónica.The 4x4 advanced deep into the lush Amazon rainforest.
c. to go into
Los cazadores se internaron en el bosque en busca de presas.The hunters went into the forest searching for prey.
4. (figurative) (to go in depth)
A phrase used as a figure of speech or a word that is symbolic in meaning; metaphorical (e.g., carrot, bean).
a. to get into
El año pasado me interné en el mundo de la psicología y ahora estoy pensando en ser psicóloga.Last year I got into the field of psychology and now I'm thinking about becoming a psychologist.
b. to become deeply involved in
Si te internas en temas paranormales, empezarás a tener muchas pesadillas.If you become deeply involved in paranormal topics, you'll start having lots of nightmares.
a. to go into the hospital
Mi vecino enfermo decidió internarse voluntariamente.My sick neighbor went voluntarily into the hospital.
