Phrase in 30 Seconds
A versatile, essential Italian reaction used to express that something is unusual, unexpected, or slightly suspicious in any daily situation.
- Means: 'How strange' or 'That's weird' (literally 'What strange').
- Used in: Reacting to missing items, odd weather, or unexpected news.
- Don't confuse: 'Strano' (weird) with 'Straniero' (foreigner/stranger).
Explicación a tu nivel:
Significado
Used when something is unusual.
Contexto cultural
Italians use 'che strano' to maintain social harmony. Instead of saying 'I don't believe you' or 'You are lying', saying 'che strano' suggests that the *situation* is at fault, not the person. Deviating from food traditions (like putting ketchup on pasta) will almost certainly earn you a 'che strano' or a 'che orrore'. In some regions, 'strano' events are linked to the supernatural. A sudden chill or a bird entering the house might be met with a worried 'che strano'. The phrase is often paired with the 'mano a borsa' (hand purse) gesture, where the fingers are bunched together and moved up and down.
The Intonation Trick
Drag out the 'a' in 'straaaaano' to show you are really confused or suspicious.
Don't over-agree
If you use 'strana' for a feminine object, make sure you are using it in a full sentence, not just as a quick reaction.
The Intonation Trick
Drag out the 'a' in 'straaaaano' to show you are really confused or suspicious.
Don't over-agree
If you use 'strana' for a feminine object, make sure you are using it in a full sentence, not just as a quick reaction.
The Shrug
Pair 'che strano' with a shoulder shrug for maximum Italian authenticity.
Ponte a prueba
Choose the correct Italian reaction for: 'You see a cat driving a car.'
Vedi un gatto che guida una macchina. Cosa dici?
A cat driving a car is unusual/weird, so 'Che strano!' is the best reaction.
Complete the sentence with the missing word.
Non trovo il mio telefono. ___ strano!
In exclamations followed by an adjective, we use 'Che'.
Match the situation to the most likely use of 'strano'.
Situation: A friend who usually hates sports is suddenly watching a football match.
'Strano' means weird/unusual, which fits the friend's behavior.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Il treno è in anticipo di 20 minuti! B: ________!
Italian trains being early is very unusual, making 'Che strano' the perfect reaction.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
When to say 'Che strano!'
Objects
- • Missing keys
- • Broken phone
- • Wrong mail
People
- • Sudden silence
- • Unexpected visit
- • New look
Nature
- • Rain in desert
- • Pink sky
- • Summer snow
Banco de ejercicios
5 ejerciciosVedi un gatto che guida una macchina. Cosa dici?
A cat driving a car is unusual/weird, so 'Che strano!' is the best reaction.
Non trovo il mio telefono. ___ strano!
In exclamations followed by an adjective, we use 'Che'.
Situation: A friend who usually hates sports is suddenly watching a football match.
'Strano' means weird/unusual, which fits the friend's behavior.
A: Il treno è in anticipo di 20 minuti! B: ________!
Italian trains being early is very unusual, making 'Che strano' the perfect reaction.
🎉 Puntuación: /5
Preguntas frecuentes
4 preguntasOnly if you are referring to a specific feminine noun in a sentence, like 'Che strana storia'. As a quick reaction, always use 'Che strano'.
No, it's very neutral. However, calling a person 'strano' can be a bit mean, so use it for situations instead.
'Strano' is common and everyday. 'Bizzarro' is stronger, meaning 'eccentric' or 'very weird'.
You say 'Non è strano'.
Frases relacionadas
che peccato
similarwhat a pity
che bello
similarhow beautiful / great
che noia
similarhow boring
meno male
contrastthank goodness
roba da matti
specialized formcrazy stuff
Dónde usarla
Missing Keys
A: Dove sono le mie chiavi?
B: Non lo so. Erano sul tavolo.
A: Che strano... ora non ci sono più.
Unusual Weather
A: Guarda! Nevica a Roma!
B: A maggio? Che strano!
Closed Shop
A: Andiamo in farmacia?
B: È chiusa. È lunedì mattina.
A: Che strano, di solito è aperta.
Weird Food
A: Ti piace la pizza con l'ananas?
B: Mmm... che strano sapore.
Silent Friend
A: Hai sentito Giulia?
B: No, non risponde ai messaggi da due giorni.
A: Che strano, lei risponde sempre subito.
Empty Street
A: Non c'è nessuno in centro stasera.
B: È vero. Che strano, sembra una città fantasma.
Memorízalo
Mnemotecnia
Think of 'Che' as 'Hey!' and 'Strano' as 'Strange'. 'Hey, Strange!' -> 'Che strano!'
Asociación visual
Imagine a person in a typical Italian piazza looking at a flying penguin. They point their finger, squint their eyes, and say 'Che strano!'
Rhyme
Che strano, l'ho visto lontano!
Story
You are walking in Rome. You see a cat wearing a tiny hat. You stop, tilt your head, and say 'Che strano'. The cat tips its hat back. You say it again, louder: 'Che strano!'
In Other Languages
It is very similar to the Spanish 'Qué raro' and the Portuguese 'Que estranho'. In English, we use 'How strange' or 'That's weird'.
Word Web
Desafío
Today, every time you see something slightly out of place (a messy desk, a late bus), whisper 'Che strano' to yourself.
Review this phrase whenever you encounter an 'exception to the rule' in your Italian grammar studies.
Pronunciación
Sounds like 'kay' but shorter. The 'h' is silent.
The 's' is sharp, like 'snake'. The 'r' is slightly rolled.
Espectro de formalidad
È un risultato alquanto insolito. (Scientific experiment or business report)
Che strano risultato. (Scientific experiment or business report)
Che strano! (Scientific experiment or business report)
Ma che roba è? (Scientific experiment or business report)
From the Latin 'extraneus', meaning 'external' or 'from the outside'.
Dato curioso
The English word 'strange' and the Italian word 'strano' are linguistic cousins, both coming from the same Latin root!
Notas culturales
Italians use 'che strano' to maintain social harmony. Instead of saying 'I don't believe you' or 'You are lying', saying 'che strano' suggests that the *situation* is at fault, not the person.
“Che strano, ricordavo un prezzo diverso.”
Deviating from food traditions (like putting ketchup on pasta) will almost certainly earn you a 'che strano' or a 'che orrore'.
“Mangi la pasta con il ketchup? Che strano!”
In some regions, 'strano' events are linked to the supernatural. A sudden chill or a bird entering the house might be met with a worried 'che strano'.
“L'orologio si è fermato a mezzanotte. Che strano...”
The phrase is often paired with the 'mano a borsa' (hand purse) gesture, where the fingers are bunched together and moved up and down.
“[Gesture] + Ma che strano!”
Inicios de conversación
Hai visto qualcosa di strano oggi?
Ti sembra strano studiare l'italiano?
Errores comunes
Cosa strano
Che strano
L1 Interference
Che straniero
Che strano
L1 Interference
Molto strano!
Che strano!
L1 Interference
Che strana!
Che strano!
L1 Interference
In Other Languages
Qué raro
Spanish uses 'raro' more frequently than 'extraño' for daily weirdness.
C'est bizarre
French requires the 'C'est' (It is) prefix.
Wie komisch
The word 'komisch' can be ambiguous between 'funny' and 'weird'.
おかしいね (Okashii ne)
Japanese often adds a particle to seek agreement from the listener.
غريب (Ghareeb)
Very similar in both usage and etymological history.
奇怪 (Qíguài)
Often used with 'Hen' (very) as 'Hen qiguai'.
이상해 (Isanghae)
The ending changes based on the level of politeness required.
Que estranho
Pronunciation is the only major difference.
Spotted in the Real World
“Che strano...”
Guido often uses this to react to the absurd rules of the camp or the strange situations he finds himself in.
“Che strano, non mi manchi più.”
A song about the strange feeling of no longer missing an ex-partner.
Fácil de confundir
Sounds very similar to 'strano'.
Remember: 'Strano' = Weird, 'Straniero' = Foreigner. Think of 'Stranger' vs 'Strange'.
Both come from the same root.
'Estraneo' is usually a noun meaning 'an outsider' or 'a stranger' in a legal/formal sense.
Preguntas frecuentes (4)
Only if you are referring to a specific feminine noun in a sentence, like 'Che strana storia'. As a quick reaction, always use 'Che strano'.
grammar mechanicsNo, it's very neutral. However, calling a person 'strano' can be a bit mean, so use it for situations instead.
practical tips'Strano' is common and everyday. 'Bizzarro' is stronger, meaning 'eccentric' or 'very weird'.
comparisonsYou say 'Non è strano'.
basic understanding
