Inklingo

How to Say "aliens" in Spanish

English → Spanish

alienígenas

nounB1general
Use this word specifically when referring to creatures or beings that come from other planets, often in science fiction contexts.

Examples

Los alienígenas de la película eran verdes y tenían ojos grandes.

The aliens in the movie were green and had big eyes.

extranjeros

/eks-trahn-HEH-rohs//e(k)stɾanˈxeɾos/

nounA1formal/legal
Use this term to refer to people who are not citizens of the country they are currently in, especially in legal or official situations.
Three stylized human figures standing side-by-side, each wearing distinctive, colorful clothing representing different cultural styles, illustrating people from another country.

Examples

Los extranjeros deben registrarse en la oficina de inmigración.

Foreigners must register at the immigration office.

Los extranjeros deben mostrar su pasaporte al llegar.

Foreigners must show their passport upon arrival.

La ciudad recibe miles de extranjeros cada verano.

The city receives thousands of foreigners every summer.

Hay muchos extranjeros que viven y trabajan aquí.

There are many foreign people who live and work here.

Using the Masculine Plural

Even if the group includes women, Spanish uses the masculine plural form ('extranjeros') to refer to multiple people from outside the country.

Confusing the place and the people

Mistake: “Fui a un extranjeros. (I went to a foreigners.)”

Correction: Fui al extranjero. (I went abroad/to a foreign country.) — Use 'el extranjero' (singular) when talking about the place, and 'los extranjeros' (plural) for the people.

extraterrestres

/ex-trah-teh-RRES-tres//ekstɾateˈrestɾes/

nounB2general
This word also refers to beings from another planet, similar to 'alienígenas', but can sometimes sound more scientific or formal.
Illustration of two small, friendly green aliens with large black eyes standing on a colorful, purple planet surface under a starry sky.

Examples

Se especula sobre la existencia de vida extraterrestre en otros planetas.

There is speculation about the existence of extraterrestrial life on other planets.

Los niños creen que los extraterrestres vienen en platillos voladores.

The children believe that aliens come in flying saucers.

El gobierno negó haber tenido contacto con extraterrestres en la década de los 70.

The government denied having contact with extraterrestrials in the 70s.

Gender Neutrality

The singular form, 'extraterrestre,' is a noun that works for both male and female individuals. In the plural, you use 'los extraterrestres' for a mixed group or males, and 'las extraterrestres' for an all-female group.

Confusing 'alienígenas'/'extraterrestres' with 'extranjeros'

The most common mistake is using 'extranjeros' when you mean beings from outer space. Remember, 'extranjeros' always refers to people from other countries, never to creatures from other planets.

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