Inklingo

How to Say "extraterrestrial" in Spanish

English → Spanish

alien

AH-lee-enˈaljen

nounA2scientific/formal
Use this term when referring to a sentient being from another planet, often in a more scientific or formal context, or when directly translating from English.
A friendly green creature with large eyes and antennae standing on a purple planet.

Examples

Mi película favorita trata de un alien que se pierde en la Tierra.

My favorite movie is about an alien who gets lost on Earth.

Los científicos buscan señales de vida alien en otros planetas.

Scientists are looking for signs of alien life on other planets.

El diseño del alien era muy aterrador y original.

The design of the alien was very scary and original.

A Borrowed Word

This word is taken directly from English. In Spanish, it usually describes a science-fiction creature rather than a person from another country.

The Plural Form

Because it's a borrowed word, you might hear people say 'los alien' or 'los aliens'. Both are used, but 'los aliens' is very common in casual speech.

Don't use for 'Foreigner'

Mistake: “Calling a person from another country 'un alien'.”

Correction: Use 'extranjero' for people. In Spanish, 'alien' almost always refers to space creatures.

alienígena

nounA2general
Use this word for a being that comes from outside Earth, similar to 'alien', but it is a more common and native Spanish term.

Examples

El niño dijo que había visto un alienígena en el bosque.

The boy said he had seen an alien in the forest.

alienígena

adjectiveB1general
Use this adjective to describe something that originates from or relates to beings or things from outside Earth.

Examples

Los científicos investigan la tecnología alienígena recuperada.

Scientists are investigating the recovered alien technology.

extraterrestre

eks-tra-te-RRES-trehekstɾateˈrestɾe

adjectiveB2scientific/formal
Use this adjective specifically to describe anything that exists or originates outside of planet Earth, focusing on the 'outside Earth' aspect.
A stylized depiction of a bright yellow moon floating in the dark blue void of space.

Examples

Los científicos buscan rastros de agua extraterrestre en la Luna.

Scientists are looking for traces of extraterrestrial water on the Moon.

Ese fenómeno no parece tener un origen terrestre, sino más bien extraterrestre.

That phenomenon doesn't seem to have an earthly origin, but rather an extraterrestrial one.

Adjective Agreement (Number)

Although the adjective does not change for gender, it must still change for number. For example: 'la roca extraterrestre' (singular rock) vs. 'las rocas extraterrestres' (plural rocks).

Noun vs. Adjective Usage

The most common confusion is between 'alienígena' as a noun (a space being) and 'alienígena' as an adjective (relating to things from outside Earth). Remember that 'alien' is only a noun, and 'extraterrestre' is primarily used as an adjective meaning 'outside Earth'.

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