German word

Internat

Pronunciation

IPA/ɪntɐˈnaːt/

Meaning

  • neuter nounboarding school

Example

Er lebt jetzt im Internat.

He now lives at a boarding school.

Illustration for Internat (boarding school)

More examples

Er besucht ein Internat, weil seine Eltern im Ausland arbeiten.

He attends a boarding school because his parents work abroad.

Core concept

A supervised residential school community with bedrooms, shared routines, and study spaces.

Common phrases

  • ein Internat besuchen

    attend a boarding school

  • ins Internat aufgenommen werden

    be admitted to a boarding school

  • im Internat wohnen

    live at a boarding school

Similar words

Pensionat: A traditional boarding school combining academic study with residential life.
Wohnheim: Shared accommodation for students or trainees, with communal rooms and facilities.
Heim: A residential facility providing daily care and a place to live.

Definition in German

Internat ist eine Einrichtung, in der Lernende neben dem Unterricht auch wohnen und betreut werden.

Word origin

The German noun comes from French internat, which developed from interne for a resident pupil and is ultimately connected with Latin internus, meaning 'within'.

Usage tips

  • English boarding school usually names the institution, while dormitory more often names its residential building or sleeping area.

Other meanings

  • boarding housenoun

Opposites

  • Tagesschuleday schoolnoun
  • Elternhausparents' homenoun

Related words

  • Internatsleiterboarding school headnoun
  • Internatslebenboarding school lifenoun
  • Internatsleitungboarding school administrationnoun

Word lists with this word