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How to Say "strangers" in Spanish

English → Spanish

desconocidos

/des-koh-noh-SEE-dohs//deskonoˈsiðos/

nounA2general
Use 'desconocidos' when referring to people in general whom you do not know, especially in contexts related to safety or caution.
A small group of people walking past each other on a sidewalk, their faces turned away, illustrating people who are not acquainted.

Examples

No debes hablar con desconocidos en la calle.

You shouldn't talk to strangers on the street.

La fiesta estaba llena de desconocidos.

The party was full of strangers.

The Power of 'Des-'

In Spanish, adding 'des-' to the start of a word is just like adding 'un-' in English (like turning 'happy' into 'unhappy'). Here, it turns 'known' into 'unknown'.

Plural and Gender

This word is plural and masculine. You use it for a group of men or a mixed group of people you don't know.

Stranger vs. Strange

Mistake: “Using 'extraños' to mean people you haven't met yet.”

Correction: While 'extraños' can mean strangers, it often implies someone is 'weird' or 'strange.' If you just mean you don't know them, 'desconocidos' is the safer, more natural choice.

extraños

es-TRAH-nyos/esˈtra.ɲos/

nounB1general
Use 'extraños' when referring to people who are unknown or unfamiliar, sometimes implying they are odd or out of place, though it can also simply mean unknown.
Two distinct people sitting far apart on opposite ends of a long wooden park bench, neither acknowledging the other, illustrating that they are unknown to each other.

Examples

Los padres le advirtieron que no hablara con extraños.

The parents warned him not to talk to strangers.

Había muchos extraños en la fiesta y me sentí incómodo.

There were many outsiders/strangers at the party and I felt uncomfortable.

Noun Use

When used as a noun, 'extraños' refers specifically to men or a mixed group of people who are unknown. If referring only to unknown women, you would use 'extrañas'.

Choosing Between 'Desconocidos' and 'Extraños'

Learners often confuse 'desconocidos' and 'extraños'. While both mean 'strangers', 'desconocidos' is the more direct and common translation for people you don't know, especially in safety warnings. 'Extraños' can sometimes imply something unusual or out of place, so use it with a bit more care.

Related Translations

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