How to Say "strange" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “strange” is “raro” — use 'raro' for general situations where something is unusual, out of the ordinary, or a bit odd, like a strange dream or an unusual event.
raro
RRA-rohˈra.ɾo
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
Examples
Vi algo extraño en el cielo anoche.
I saw something strange in the sky last night.
curioso
koo-ree-OH-sokuˈɾjo.so
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.
chistoso
chees-TOH-sohtʃisˈtoso
Examples
Qué chistoso, no encuentro mis llaves donde las dejé.
How strange, I can't find my keys where I left them.
Ese ruido suena muy chistoso, ¿no crees?
That noise sounds very weird, don't you think?
Using 'Qué'
In this sense, it is almost always used with 'Qué' to mean 'How strange!' or 'That's weird!'
Tone Matters
Mistake: “Using a laughing tone when you mean 'strange'.”
Correction: Use a puzzled facial expression to clarify you mean 'weird' rather than 'humorous'.
insólito
Examples
Es un clima insólito para esta época del año.
It's unusual weather for this time of year.
desconocido
des-koh-noh-SEE-dohdes.ko.noˈsi.ðo
Examples
Fuimos a una playa completamente desconocida.
We went to a completely unknown beach.
El origen de la señal sigue siendo desconocido.
The origin of the signal continues to be unknown.
Ella exploró tierras desconocidas en el mapa.
She explored unfamiliar lands on the map.
Making it Match
Like most Spanish adjectives, 'desconocido' must change its ending to match the noun it describes: use '-a' for feminine nouns (la casa desconocida), '-os' for masculine plural nouns, and '-as' for feminine plural nouns.
Forgetting Agreement
Mistake: “Vi una persona desconocido.”
Correction: Vi una persona desconocida. (Since 'persona' is a feminine noun, the adjective must end in -a.)
peregrino
peh-reh-GREE-nopeɾeˈɣɾino
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.
Raro vs. Extraño: The Most Common Confusion
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