intrínseco

intrinsic

adjective een-TREEN-seh-koh Rare

Origin: Latin intrinsecus (inward, internal)

Also means

inherent

Usage Note

Intrínseco describes a quality that belongs to something by its very nature, as opposed to extrínseco (extrinsic). The accent on the first i is obligatory — it is an esdrújula. In academic and philosophical writing it pairs naturally with valor intrínseco (intrinsic value) or motivación intrínseca.

Examples

"El talento tiene un valor intrínseco."

Natural Translation

Talent has an intrinsic value.

Related Words

Explore Spanish by topic

SpanishNow

How to Introduce Yourself in Spanish: 12 Real Phrases

Introduce yourself in Spanish with 12 ready-to-speak phrases — name, origin, age, and job — in both tú and usted, with the verb traps that trip up beginners.

June 9, 2026 5 min read

SpanishNow

Tener in Spanish: Why You're Hungry, Cold & 30 Years

In Spanish you HAVE hunger, cold, and 30 years — not are them. Master tener expressions like tengo hambre, tengo frío, and tengo 30 años in one rule.

June 9, 2026 5 min read

SpanishNow

How to Say "You" in Spanish: Tú, Usted, Vos & Vosotros

Spanish has five words for "you": tú, usted, vos, vosotros, and ustedes. Learn which to use by who you're talking to and where — plus the verb endings.

June 3, 2026 6 min read

SpanishNow

Spanish Diminutives: What -ito and -ita Really Mean

Spanish diminutives rarely mean 'little.' Learn what -ito and -ita really signal — warmth, softening, downplaying — plus the -cito and -ecito formation rules.

June 9, 2026 6 min read