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"El exterior" is a form of "exterior", an adjective which is often translated as "outer". "El interior" is a form of "interior", an adjective which is often translated as "interior". Learn more about the difference between "el exterior" and "el interior" below.
exterior, el exterior(
ehks
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teh
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ryohr
)An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
a. outer
No hay que cortar la capa exterior de la tela.The outer layer of the fabric must not be cut.
c. external
Tenemos que aislar mejor las paredes exteriores de la casa.We need to insulate the external walls of the house better.
e. outdoor
El hotel cuenta con dos albercas exteriores y una techada.The hotel has two outdoor swimming pools and one indoor one.
a. outward-facing
Decidimos comprar un departamento exterior.We decided to buy an outward-facing apartment.
b. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Busco una habitación exterior.I'm looking for a room that faces on to the street.
Me dieron una habitación exterior en el hotel.The hotel room I was given faced onto the street.
3. (politics)
a. foreign
El país solicitó ayuda exterior tras el terremoto.The country requested foreign assistance following the earthquake.
4. (commerce)
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
a. outside
Los prisioneros tienen prohibido comunicarse con el exterior.Prisoners are not allowed to communicate with the outside.
b. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
La mayoría de nuestros clientes están en el exterior del país.Most of our clients are based outside the country.
El estacionamiento de visitas está en el exterior de la privada.Visitor parking is located outside of the private driveway.
a. outward appearance
Su exterior refleja su paz interna.Her outward appearance reflects her inner peace.
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Se enviará ayuda alimentaria al exterior.Food aid will be sent overseas.
La empresa abrirá sucursales en el exterior.The company is to open branches abroad.
los exteriores
A plural noun indicates that there is more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
b. location shots (sequences)
Fue todo un reto rodar los exteriores de la película.Filming the movie's location shots was quite a challenge.
c. outside shots (sequences)
El rodaje de la película fue rápido porque no hubo exteriores.Shooting the movie was quick because there weren't any outside shots.
interior, el interior(
een
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teh
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ryohr
)An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
a. interior
Las paredes interiores están decoradas con mosaicos.The interior walls are decorated with mosaics.
b. inside
Siempre pongo la billetera en los bolsillos interiores del saco.I always keep my wallet in the inside pockets of my coat.
c. inner
La belleza interior importa más que la exterior.Inner beauty matters more than outer beauty.
2. (geography)
3. (national)
a. domestic
El gobierno logró estimular el consumo interior.The government managed to stimulate the domestic consumption.
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
4. (inner part)
5. (geography)
6. (soul)
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
El amor proviene del interior.Love comes from within.
Se notaba que en el interior tenía mucha pena por su hija.You could see that deep down she was very sad about her daughter.
b. inside
Se veía feliz, pero en el interior estaba sufriendo.She looked happy, but on the inside she was suffering.
7. (literary) (ministry)
A word or phrase restricted in usage to literature or established writing (e.g., sex, once upon a time).
a. Ministry of the Interior
Fuentes de Interior confirmaron que no hubo víctimas en el atentado.Sources from the Ministry of the Interior confirmed there were no casualties in the attack.
This means that the noun can be masculine or feminine, depending on the gender of the noun it refers to (e.g., el doctor, la doctora).
8. (sports)
a. midfielder
El interior derecho metió el gol de la victoria.The right midfielder scored the winner.
los interiores
A plural noun indicates that there is more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
9. (cinema)
a. interior shots
Está lloviendo, así que hoy vamos a filmar los interiores.It's raining, so today we're going to take the interior shots.
