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How to Say "odd" in Spanish

English → Spanish

raro

/RRA-roh//ˈra.ɾo/

AdjectiveA2General
Use 'raro' when something is strange or unusual in a general, unspecific way, often used for feelings or general observations.
A bright blue banana resting on a wooden counter, symbolizing strangeness or something unusual.

Examples

Tuve un sueño muy raro anoche.

I had a very strange dream last night.

Mi vecino es un tipo un poco raro, casi nunca habla.

My neighbor is a bit of a weird guy, he almost never speaks.

¡Qué raro! Pensé que había dejado mis llaves aquí.

How strange! I thought I had left my keys here.

Matching the Noun

Like most describing words in Spanish, 'raro' changes to match the person or thing it describes. Use 'raro' for masculine things, 'rara' for feminine, 'raros' for masculine plural, and 'raras' for feminine plural. (e.g., 'un libro raro', 'una película rara').

Ser vs. Estar: Is it a trait or a temporary state?

Use 'ser raro' to say someone or something has a strange personality or nature (it's who they are). Use 'estar raro' to say someone is acting strangely right now (it's how they are).

Steak that's 'Rare'

Mistake: “Quiero mi bistec raro, por favor.”

Correction: This sounds like you want a 'strange steak'! To say you want meat that's not cooked much, use 'poco hecho'. For example: 'Quiero mi bistec poco hecho, por favor.'

extraño

AdjectiveA2General
Use 'extraño' for something that is slightly unusual or unexpected, often implying a mild sense of surprise or unfamiliarity.

Examples

Vi algo extraño en el cielo anoche.

I saw something strange in the sky last night.

curioso

/koo-ree-OH-so//kuˈɾjo.so/

AdjectiveB1General
Employ 'curioso' when something is peculiar or intriguing, suggesting it warrants attention due to its unusual nature.
A perfectly square, bright red apple sitting on a wooden table next to several normal round apples, depicting something strange.

Examples

Es curioso que nos encontremos aquí, ¡es la tercera vez esta semana!

It's strange/odd that we run into each other here, it's the third time this week!

Había un ruido curioso en el motor del coche.

There was a strange noise in the car engine.

Me pasó una cosa curiosa ayer en el supermercado.

A peculiar thing happened to me yesterday at the supermarket.

Curious vs. Strange

When 'curioso' describes a situation or event (like 'it's strange that...'), it means unusual or surprising, not inquisitive.

Using 'Funny' for Humor

Mistake: “El chiste fue muy curioso.”

Correction: Use 'gracioso' or 'divertido' for something that makes you laugh. 'Curioso' implies strange, not humorous.

pico

/PEE-koh//ˈpiko/

NounB1Informal
Use 'pico' specifically when referring to a small, extra amount or quantity added to a whole number, like 'a hundred and a bit'.
An illustration showing a basket completely full of apples, with one small, extra apple resting just outside the basket, symbolizing an excess amount.

Examples

La cuenta es de cien euros y pico.

The bill is a hundred euros and a bit more.

Tiene veinticinco años y pico.

He is twenty-five years old and a little over.

Using 'y pico'

This phrase always follows a round number to indicate a small, unspecified amount that exceeds it. It means 'and a little extra.'

Raro vs. Extraño

Learners often confuse 'raro' and 'extraño' as they both mean strange. While interchangeable in many contexts, 'raro' is more general, whereas 'extraño' often implies something slightly out of the ordinary or unexpected.

Related Translations

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