How to Say "strange" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “strange” is “extraño” — use 'extraño' for general situations where something is unusual, surprising, or hard to explain, similar to the most common English use of 'strange'..
extraño
Examples
Vi algo extraño en el cielo anoche.
I saw something strange in the sky last night.
raro
/RRA-roh//ˈra.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.'
curioso
/koo-ree-OH-so//kuˈɾjo.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.
desconocido
des-koh-noh-SEE-doh/des.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.)
Extraño vs. Raro
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