Inklingo

How to Say "to miss" in Spanish

English → Spanish

perder

/pehr-DEHR//peɾˈdeɾ/

VerbA2General
Use 'perder' when you fail to catch transportation, arrive at an event on time, or lose an opportunity.
A person running quickly toward the edge of the frame, watching a large blue bus drive away from the bus stop, looking disappointed because they missed it.

Examples

¡Corre! Vamos a perder el autobús.

Run! We're going to miss the bus.

Llegué tarde y perdí el principio de la película.

I arrived late and missed the beginning of the movie.

Es una gran oportunidad, no la puedes perder.

It's a great opportunity, you can't miss it.

The Two Meanings of 'To Miss'

Mistake: “Yo pierdo a mi familia.”

Correction: Yo extraño a mi familia / Echo de menos a mi familia. Use 'perder' for things you fail to catch, like a bus or a chance. For the feeling of longing for a person or place, use 'extrañar' or 'echar de menos'.

extrañar

eks-trah-NYAR/eɣstɾaˈɲaɾ/

VerbA1General
Use 'extrañar' to express the feeling of longing for someone or something that is absent.
A child sits alone on a park bench, hugging a teddy bear and looking wistfully at an empty swing set, illustrating the feeling of absence and longing.

Examples

Extraño mucho a mis padres cuando viajo.

I miss my parents a lot when I travel.

¿Extrañas la comida de tu país?

Do you miss the food from your country?

Ellos extrañaron la vieja casa de la abuela.

They missed Grandma's old house.

Using 'a' with people

When you miss a specific person, you must use the word 'a' right before their name or title: 'Extraño a mi hermana' (I miss my sister).

Don't confuse 'extrañar' with 'perder'

Mistake: “Perdí el tren, lo extraño. (I missed the train, I miss it.)”

Correction: Perdí el tren. (I missed the train.) Use 'perder' for missing an event, opportunity, or transport, not 'extrañar'.

fallar

/fah-YAR//faˈʝaɾ/

VerbB2General
Use 'fallar' when you fail to hit a target, such as in sports or shooting.
A bright red and white archery target hanging on a wall, with a single wooden arrow stuck into the wall several feet away from the target, showing a miss.

Examples

El futbolista falló el gol por centímetros.

The soccer player missed the goal by centimeters.

Aunque apuntó bien, falló el tiro.

Although he aimed well, he missed the shot.

Don't confuse emotional missing with practical missing.

The most common mistake is using 'extrañar' when you mean to miss a bus or an appointment. Remember, 'extrañar' is for feelings of longing, while 'perder' is for failing to catch or be present for something.

Related Translations

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