How to Say "to miss" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “to miss” is “extrañar” — use this word when you feel a sense of longing or sadness due to the absence of a person or place you care about.
Use this word when you feel a sense of longing or sadness due to the absence of a person or place you care about.
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Use this word when you fail to catch transportation, are late for an event, or lose a chance or opportunity.
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Use this word to express a deep, often nostalgic longing for something or someone from the past.
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Use this word specifically when someone does not attend or show up for a scheduled event or obligation.
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Use this word when referring to missing a target in activities like shooting or throwing.
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Use this word when someone fails to score a goal or misses a specific shot in a competitive context.
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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'.
pehr-DEHRpeɾˈdeɾ
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'.
ah-nyoh-RAHRaɲoˈɾaɾ
Examples
Añoro mucho mi país.
I long for my country a lot.
Él añora los veranos de su infancia.
He yearns for the summers of his childhood.
Es normal añorar a los amigos que están lejos.
It is normal to miss friends who are far away.
No extra words needed
Unlike in English where you long 'for' something, in Spanish you just 'añorar' the thing directly. Don't add 'por' or 'para' after it.
Nostalgia factor
This word specifically implies a sense of nostalgia. It is about missing things that are gone or times that have passed.
Using it for missed transport
Mistake: “Añoré el tren de las cinco.”
Correction: Perdí el tren de las cinco. Use 'perder' for missing a bus, train, or appointment. 'Añorar' is only for feelings.
fal-TARfalˈtaɾ
Examples
Juan faltó a clase ayer.
Juan missed class yesterday.
No puedes faltar al trabajo sin avisar.
You cannot skip work without giving notice.
Nunca falto a mis citas médicas.
I never miss my medical appointments.
Use 'A' for Events
When you miss an event, you must use the word 'a' afterward: 'faltar a la fiesta', 'faltar al trabajo'.
Forgetting the 'A'
Mistake: “Falté la clase.”
Correction: Falté a la clase. (Always include 'a' before the place or event you missed.)
eh-RAReˈrar
Examples
El cazador erró el tiro y el ciervo escapó.
The hunter missed the shot and the deer escaped.
Errar es de humanos, pero perdonar es divino.
To err is human, but to forgive is divine.
Yerras si piensas que el examen será fácil.
You are mistaken if you think the exam will be easy.
The 'Y' Surprise
When the stress of the word falls on the first letter 'e' (like in 'yo' or 'tú' forms), the 'e' changes into 'ye'. This is why we say 'yerro' instead of 'erro'.
Using 'Errar' vs 'Equivocarse'
Use 'errar' when you miss a physical target or in formal writing. Use 'equivocarse' for everyday mistakes like picking the wrong day for a meeting.
Forgetting the 'Y'
Mistake: “Yo erro el tiro.”
Correction: Yo yerro el tiro. (Because the stress is on the first part of the word, the 'e' must become 'ye'.)
fah-YARfaˈʝaɾ
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.
Missing people vs. Missing targets
Learners often confuse 'extrañar' (to miss someone/something you long for) with 'errar' or 'fallar' (to miss a target or shot). Remember, 'extrañar' deals with emotions and absence, while 'errar' and 'fallar' are about physical actions and precision.
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