inter-
ˈɪntər
inter- steps into the gap between two things
The picture Two things face each other, and something moves into the empty space between them. inter- stays in the space between; trans- crosses over and keeps going to the far side.
Where the picture shows up in inter-
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stepping into the speech
Sorry to interrupt your call.
ˈsɑːri tuː ˌɪntəˈrʌpt jɔːr kɔːl
Sorry for breaking into your call.
A hand comes into the middle of a running line of speech and the line snaps.
inter (between) + rupt (break).
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standing between two languages
We need an interpreter at the hospital.
wiː niːd ən ɪnˈtɜːrprətər æt ðə ˈhɑːspɪtəl
We need someone to interpret at the hospital.
Between patient and doctor stands a person whose mouth sends words both ways.
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travelling between countries
It is an international call, so it costs more.
ɪt ɪz ən ˌɪntərˈnæʃənəl kɔːl soʊ ɪt kɑːsts mɔːr
It costs more because the call goes abroad.
One phone line runs over the sea between two countries.
inter (between) + nation.
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facing each other
I have an interview at nine.
aɪ hæv ən ˈɪntərvjuː æt naɪn
I have a job meeting at nine.
Two people sit facing across a desk, trading looks back and forth.
inter (each other) + view (see).
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where two roads cut across
Turn right at the next intersection.
tɜːrn raɪt æt ðə nekst ˌɪntərˈsekʃən
Turn right at the next crossroads.
Two roads meet in the middle as a cross and open into four directions.
inter (between) + sect (cut).
All of it in one picture
inter- is one gap between two things. Put yourself into the middle of running speech and you interrupt; stand between two languages and carry words both ways and you are an interpreter. A line joining one country to another is an international call; two people facing each other and trading looks is an interview; two roads cutting through each other make an intersection. So with inter-, just find which two things it is standing between.