Inklingo
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extranjera

/eks-trahn-HEH-rah/

foreign

A colorful tropical bird with vibrant feathers sitting on a branch in a local forest.

A tropical bird represents something foreign (extranjera) when seen in a different climate.

extranjera(adjective)

fA1

foreign

?

describing a feminine object or idea from another country

Also:

alien

?

rarely used for things that feel very unfamiliar

📝 In Action

Me encanta ver cine y películas de cinematografía extranjera.

A2

I love watching foreign cinema and films.

Ella habla una lengua extranjera muy bien.

A1

She speaks a foreign language very well.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • foránea (foreign/from outside)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • lengua extranjera – foreign language
  • moneda extranjera – foreign currency

💡 Grammar Points

Matching the Ending

Because this ends in 'a', it must describe 'feminine' words like 'comida' (food) or 'película' (movie). If you describe a 'masculine' word, you must use 'extranjero' instead.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using the wrong gender

Mistake: "El idioma extranjera."

Correction: El idioma extranjero. Even though 'idioma' ends in 'a', it is actually a masculine word, so the description must match it.

⭐ Usage Tips

Describing things vs. locations

Use this word to describe WHAT something is. If you want to say you are currently 'abroad', use the phrase 'en el extranjero' regardless of gender.

A woman holding a travel suitcase and a camera, looking at a city map in a town square.

A woman visiting a new country is a foreigner (extranjera).

extranjera(noun)

fA1

foreigner

?

referring to a female person

Also:

outsider

?

less common, implies someone who doesn't belong

📝 In Action

La nueva vecina es una extranjera de Francia.

A1

The new neighbor is a foreigner from France.

Como extranjera, ella tiene una perspectiva diferente.

B1

As a foreigner, she has a different perspective.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • turista (tourist)
  • inmigrante (immigrant)

Antonyms

💡 Grammar Points

Referring to People

Use 'una extranjera' when talking about one specific woman. If you are talking about a man, use 'un extranjero'.

⭐ Usage Tips

Politeness Note

In some contexts, calling someone 'una extranjera' can feel a bit distant. Using 'turista' (tourist) or 'visitante' (visitor) is sometimes friendlier.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: extranjera

Question 1 of 1

Which of these is the correct way to say 'a foreign movie'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

extranjero(foreign / foreigner (masculine)) - adjective/noun
extranjería(immigration office / status of being a foreigner) - noun
extranjerismo(foreign word used in another language) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'extranjera' ever used for men?

No. In Spanish, words describing people change based on gender. Use 'extranjera' for a woman and 'extranjero' for a man.

Does 'extranjera' mean the same thing as 'abroad'?

Not exactly. 'Extranjera' is an adjective (foreign). To say 'abroad' (the location), you use the phrase 'en el extranjero'.