Inklingo

How to Say "exotic" in Spanish

English → Spanish

exótico

adjectiveB1general
Use 'exótico' when referring to something that is genuinely from a distant, foreign country or is strikingly unusual and unfamiliar, often in a positive or intriguing way.

Examples

En el mercado venden muchas frutas exóticas.

In the market, they sell many exotic fruits.

peregrino

/peh-reh-GREE-no//peɾeˈɣɾino/

adjectiveC1informal
Choose 'peregrino' when you want to describe an idea, opinion, or situation as peculiar, outlandish, or surprisingly foreign, often implying it's a bit odd or eccentric.
A bright purple elephant with yellow polka dots sitting on a green park bench.

Examples

Esa es una idea un poco peregrina, ¿no crees?

That is a bit of a strange idea, don't you think?

Me dio una excusa peregrina para no venir a la fiesta.

He gave me a far-fetched excuse for not coming to the party.

El autor utiliza un lenguaje peregrino y lleno de arcaísmos.

The author uses a rare language full of archaisms.

Adjective Placement

When using this to mean 'strange,' it almost always comes after the thing it describes (e.g., 'teoría peregrina').

Matching the Noun

Remember to match the ending to the thing you are describing. 'Ideas' is feminine/plural, so you must say 'ideas peregrinas'.

Using it for 'scary' strange

Mistake:Vi un hombre peregrino en el callejón.

Correction: Vi un hombre extraño/raro. 'Peregrino' as an adjective usually describes ideas, theories, or excuses, not creepy people.

Exótico vs. Peregrino

The main confusion arises from thinking 'peregrino' also means 'exotic' in the sense of travel or origin. Remember, 'peregrino' leans towards 'strange' or 'odd,' while 'exótico' is for things truly from afar or unusual in a more conventional sense.

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