Inklingo

How to Say "foreign" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “foreign” is “extranjero” — use this word when referring to something or someone from a country other than your own, like languages, people, or policies.

extranjero🔊A2

Use this word when referring to something or someone from a country other than your own, like languages, people, or policies.

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extrañoA2

Use this when something seems unusual or from an unknown place, implying unfamiliarity or oddness rather than just nationality.

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externo🔊A2

Choose this to indicate something on the outside, not internal, often used for physical locations, body parts, or usage instructions.

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ajeno🔊B1

Use this when something belongs to someone else or is unrelated to a specific group or topic, emphasizing possession or relevance.

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exóticoB1

Apply this to plants, animals, foods, or cultural items that originate from a distant, often tropical, and unfamiliar country.

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alienígenaB1

This term specifically refers to origins from another planet or a distinctly different, non-native place, often used in science fiction or biology.

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forastero🔊B2

Use this for people or things that come from a different town or region, implying they are outsiders or newcomers to a specific locality.

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English → Spanish

extranjero

ehx-trahn-HEH-roheks.tɾaŋˈxe.ɾo

adjectiveA2general
Use this word when referring to something or someone from a country other than your own, like languages, people, or policies.
A vibrant red Japanese torii gate standing alone in a simple, generic green field under a blue sky, illustrating something foreign to the setting.

Examples

Mi vecino es un estudiante extranjero.

My neighbor is a foreign student.

Mi hermana estudia un idioma extranjero.

My sister studies a foreign language.

La inversión extranjera es importante para la economía.

Foreign investment is important for the economy.

Matching the Noun

As an adjective, 'extranjero' must change its ending to match the thing it describes in gender (o/a) and number (singular/plural).

Gender Mismatch

Mistake: “Compré una comida extranjero.”

Correction: Compré una comida extranjera. (Because 'comida' is feminine.)

extraño

adjectiveA2general
Use this when something seems unusual or from an unknown place, implying unfamiliarity or oddness rather than just nationality.

Examples

Había un sonido extraño en la noche.

There was a strange sound in the night.

externo

eks-TEHR-noheksˈteɾno

adjectiveA2general
Choose this to indicate something on the outside, not internal, often used for physical locations, body parts, or usage instructions.
A bright red apple resting on the outer surface of a closed wooden box.

Examples

Es importante aplicar el protector solar en la piel externa.

It's important to apply sunscreen to the external skin.

Esta crema es solo para uso externo.

This cream is for external use only.

Necesito un disco duro externo para mis archivos.

I need an external hard drive for my files.

Factores externos afectaron el resultado del examen.

External factors affected the exam result.

Matching the Noun

This word changes its ending to match the person or object it describes. Use 'externo' for masculine (el factor), 'externa' for feminine (la capa), and add an '-s' for plurals.

Word Order

In Spanish, this word usually comes after the thing it is describing, like 'disco externo' (hard drive external), which is the opposite of English.

Confusing Externo with Exterior

Mistake: “La parte externo de la casa.”

Correction: La parte exterior de la casa.

ajeno

ah-HEH-noaˈxeno

adjectiveB1general
Use this when something belongs to someone else or is unrelated to a specific group or topic, emphasizing possession or relevance.
A child looking at a colorful toy that is inside someone else's backpack.

Examples

No te metas en asuntos ajenos.

Don't meddle in other people's business.

No debes tomar lo ajeno.

You shouldn't take what belongs to others.

No me gusta meterme en asuntos ajenos.

I don't like to get involved in other people's business.

Ese problema es ajeno a nuestra empresa.

That problem is foreign to (unrelated to) our company.

Matching the Noun

Since this is a describing word, it must match what it describes. Use 'ajeno' for masculine items and 'ajena' for feminine items (e.g., 'el coche ajeno' vs 'la casa ajena').

Using 'de otros' every time

Mistake: “Es el libro de otros.”

Correction: Es un libro ajeno.

exótico

adjectiveB1general
Apply this to plants, animals, foods, or cultural items that originate from a distant, often tropical, and unfamiliar country.

Examples

Probé un plato exótico en mi viaje.

I tried an exotic dish on my trip.

alienígena

adjectiveB1general
This term specifically refers to origins from another planet or a distinctly different, non-native place, often used in science fiction or biology.

Examples

Los científicos estudian especímenes alienígenas.

Scientists study alien specimens.

forastero

fo-ras-TEH-rofoɾasˈteɾo

adjectiveB2general
Use this for people or things that come from a different town or region, implying they are outsiders or newcomers to a specific locality.
A bright tropical parrot with colorful feathers perched on a snowy pine tree branch.

Examples

Los forasteros a menudo se pierden en el casco antiguo.

Outsiders often get lost in the old town.

Trajeron costumbres forasteras que nadie entendía.

They brought outside customs that no one understood.

Ese acento forastero delataba su origen.

That foreign accent gave away his origin.

La influencia forastera cambió el estilo de la arquitectura local.

Outside influence changed the style of local architecture.

Matching the Noun

As a describing word, it must match what it describes. For a feminine thing like 'costumbre' (custom), use 'forastera'.

Confusing with 'Extraño'

Mistake: “Using 'forastero' to mean 'weird'.”

Correction: Use 'forastero' to mean 'from another place'. If something is just 'weird' or 'strange' in character, use 'extraño' or 'raro'.

Extranjero vs. Extraño

Learners often confuse 'extranjero' and 'extraño.' Remember, 'extranjero' specifically means from another country (like a foreign student), while 'extraño' means strange or unfamiliar, which could be from another country but implies oddness.

Related Translations

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