in-

in-

USAGE NOTE

This prefix changes to "im-" before "b" or "p", to "i-" before "l", and to "ir-" before "r."

in-(een)

prefix

1. (not)

a. in-

Tu cuenta ha estado inactiva por dos meses.

Your account has been inactive for two months.

b. im-

Hércules era el hijo de un dios, pero no era inmortal.

Hercules was the son of a god, but he was not immortal.

c. il-

Aquí es ilegal beber alcohol en la calle.

Drinking alcohol in the streets is illegal here.

d. ir-

No confío en Marcelo. Es muy irresponsable.

I don't trust Marcelo. He's very irresponsible.

e. un-

Fernanda se divorció porque era infeliz.

Fernanda got divorced because she was unhappy.

2. (inside or inward)

a. in-

Los ladrones se infiltraron en el museo sin ser detectados.

The thieves infiltrated the museum without being detected.

b. im-

El loco dice que el Gobierno le implantó un chip en la cabeza.

The crazy man says the government implanted a chip in his head.