Inklingo

How to Say "outsiders" in Spanish

English → Spanish

extranjeros

/eks-trahn-HEH-rohs//e(k)stɾanˈxeɾos/

nounA1general
Use 'extranjeros' when referring to people who are citizens of a different country, often in a formal context like immigration or travel.
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 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.

extraños

nounB1general
Use 'extraños' to refer to people who are unfamiliar or not part of a specific group, emphasizing their unknown nature rather than their nationality.

Examples

Los padres le advirtieron que no hablara con extraños.

The parents warned him not to talk to strangers.

Nationality vs. Unfamiliarity

The most common mistake is using 'extranjeros' when you simply mean someone you don't know. Remember, 'extranjeros' specifically refers to foreigners (people from other countries), while 'extraños' refers to strangers or unfamiliar people in general.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.