Using with 'Ser' vs. 'Estar'

Like most describing words in Spanish, 'extraño' changes to match the person or thing it describes. Use 'extraña' for feminine things (una casa extraña), 'extraños' for masculine plural (unos ruidos extraños), and 'extrañas' for feminine plural (unas luces extrañas).

Matching the Noun

While 'extraño' can mean 'foreign', it's much more common to use 'extranjero' when talking about someone from another country. 'Extraño' is mostly used to mean 'weird' or 'unusual'.

Strange vs. Foreign

Extremely common. One of the first words you'll learn to describe something unusual.

When you miss a person or a pet, you need to put the word 'a' right before them. For example, 'Extraño a mi perro' (I miss my dog). You don't need it for things: 'Extraño mi casa' (I miss my house).

Who you miss needs an 'a'

In Spain, it's very common to say 'echar de menos' instead of 'extrañar'. Both are correct and understood everywhere. 'Te extraño' and 'Te echo de menos' both mean 'I miss you'.

Another way to say it

Incredibly common. This is the go-to way to say you miss someone or something.

A 'stranger' is an 'extraño' or 'desconocido'. A 'foreigner' (from another country) is an 'extranjero'. While related, try not to mix them up!

'Extraño' vs. 'Extranjero'

Fairly common, especially in formal or literary contexts. You'll hear 'desconocido' more often in everyday chat.

Learn the complete meaning of 'extraño' in Spanish. Master its use as an adjective (strange, weird), a verb (I miss), and a noun (stranger). Includes full conjugations, examples, and common mistakes.

extraño

Complete Conjugation Tables

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

preterite

imperfect

future

conditional

subjunctive

present

imperfect

imperative

affirmative

negative

Practice Conjugations