extraño 30초 만에
- Extraño is a common A2-level adjective meaning 'strange', 'weird', or 'unfamiliar'. It must agree in gender and number with the noun it describes.
- As a noun, 'un extraño' refers to a stranger. As a verb, 'extrañar' means to miss someone or to find something surprising.
- It is frequently used in impersonal expressions like 'Es extraño que...' which requires the use of the subjunctive mood in the following clause.
- While similar to 'raro', 'extraño' often emphasizes the 'unfamiliar' or 'mysterious' aspect of something rather than just its rarity or social awkwardness.
The word extraño is a versatile Spanish adjective that primarily translates to 'strange,' 'odd,' or 'weird' in English. At its core, it describes anything that falls outside the boundaries of the familiar or the expected. When you encounter something extraño, your brain signals that there is a mismatch between your current reality and your past experiences. This can range from a slightly unusual smell in the kitchen to a deeply unsettling, uncanny event that defies logic.
- Primary Meaning
- Something that is not ordinary or common. For example, a person wearing a winter coat in the middle of a heatwave would be considered extraño.
- The 'Unfamiliar' Aspect
- It can also refer to people or things that are unknown to you. In older Spanish or formal contexts, it can mean 'foreign' or 'outsider,' though 'extranjero' is more common for nationality today.
- The Emotional Response
- Unlike 'raro' (which can sometimes be positive, like 'unique'), extraño often carries a slight nuance of being unsettling or difficult to explain.
"Había un extraño silencio en la casa cuando llegué, como si las paredes estuvieran escuchando."
In terms of grammar, extraño must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies. Thus, you have extraño (masculine singular), extraña (feminine singular), extraños (masculine plural), and extrañas (feminine plural). It is most frequently placed after the noun (un ruido extraño), but placing it before the noun (un extraño ruido) can add a literary or emphatic flair, emphasizing the quality of strangeness itself.
"Es extraño que no haya llamado todavía; siempre es muy puntual."
- Usage with 'Ser' vs 'Estar'
- Usually used with ser to describe an inherent quality: "Él es un hombre extraño." If you use it with sentirse (to feel), it means feeling out of place or unwell: "Me siento extraño hoy."
Using extraño correctly requires understanding its placement and its relationship with the verb. As an adjective, its primary job is to describe nouns, but it also functions frequently in impersonal expressions. When you say 'Es extraño que...' (It is strange that...), you are entering the territory of the subjunctive mood because you are expressing an emotion or a judgment about a situation.
"Es extraño que ella venga tan temprano." (Subjunctive usage)
Let's break down the three main ways to deploy this word in your daily Spanish:
- 1. Attributive Use (Modifying a Noun)
- This is the most common use. You place it after the noun to distinguish it.
Example: "Vi un objeto extraño en el cielo." (I saw a strange object in the sky.) - 2. Predicative Use (With Ser/Parecer)
- Used to describe the subject of the sentence.
Example: "Tu comportamiento parece extraño últimamente." (Your behavior seems strange lately.) - 3. As a Noun (The Stranger)
- When used with an article, it refers to a person you don't know.
Example: "No hables con extraños." (Don't talk to strangers.)
In professional writing, extraño is preferred over raro when referring to things that are anomalous or scientifically unexplained. It carries a weight of 'unfamiliarity' that raro sometimes lacks. If you are describing a medical symptom that is new and unknown, una sensación extraña is the perfect phrase.
"El científico notó un fenómeno extraño en la muestra de ADN."
You will encounter extraño across all levels of Spanish discourse, from the gritty dialogue of a crime thriller to the formal reports of a news anchor. Its frequency is high because human beings are naturally inclined to comment on things that deviate from the norm.
- In Cinema and Literature
- It is a staple of the mystery and horror genres. Characters often say, "¿No oíste ese ruido extraño?" (Didn't you hear that strange noise?) to build tension. It sets a mood of uncertainty.
- In Daily Conversation
- People use it to describe social awkwardness or unexpected coincidences. "Qué extraño que nos encontremos aquí," (How strange that we meet here) is a common way to acknowledge a surprise encounter.
- In News and Journalism
- Journalists use it to describe anomalies in data, weather patterns, or political events. "Un extraño suceso ocurrió en el centro de la ciudad," (A strange event occurred in the city center) is a classic headline hook.
"Los vecinos reportaron movimientos extraños en el edificio abandonado durante la madrugada."
In the digital world, you might see it in error messages or when an algorithm detects 'unusual activity' on your account: "Actividad extraña detectada". This reinforces the meaning of something that doesn't fit the established pattern of your behavior.
Even intermediate learners often stumble when using extraño because of its multiple roles and its similarity to other words. Avoiding these pitfalls will make your Spanish sound much more natural and precise.
- 1. Confusing Adjective with Verb
- As mentioned, extraño is 'I miss' (verb) and 'strange' (adjective).
Wrong: "Yo soy muy extraño a mi madre." (Intending: I miss my mother).
Right: "Extraño mucho a mi madre." - 2. Overusing 'Raro'
- Learners often default to raro for everything. While usually interchangeable, extraño is better for 'unfamiliar' or 'mysterious'. If you don't know a person, they are an extraño, not a raro (which would mean they are a 'weirdo').
- 3. Gender Agreement Errors
- Because it ends in -o, it must change to -a for feminine nouns.
Wrong: "Una situación extraño."
Right: "Una situación extraña."
"No es lo mismo decir 'un hombre raro' (a weird man) que 'un hombre extraño' (a man I don't know/a mysterious man)."
Finally, remember that extraño can also mean 'alien' in a legal or philosophical sense—something that is external to a system. Using it in this context requires a higher level of fluency but can be very effective in academic writing.
Spanish has a rich vocabulary for the 'unusual.' Knowing the subtle differences between extraño and its synonyms will help you choose the right word for the right situation.
- Raro
- The most common synonym. It can mean 'strange,' but also 'rare' or 'infrequent.' In colloquial Spanish, it often means 'weird' in a social sense.
- Curioso
- Used when something is strange in an interesting or intriguing way. It's less negative than extraño. "Es un dato curioso" (It's a curious/interesting fact).
- Inusual
- More formal. It simply means 'not usual.' It lacks the 'spooky' or 'mysterious' connotation that extraño can have.
- Ajeno
- This means 'belonging to someone else' or 'foreign to.' It's related to the 'outsider' meaning of extraño. "Problemas ajenos" (Other people's problems).
"Mientras que 'raro' puede ser algo único y valioso, 'extraño' suele implicar algo que no comprendemos del todo."
How Formal Is It?
난이도
알아야 할 문법
Adjective-Noun agreement
Impersonal expressions with 'Ser'
Present Subjunctive
Preterite vs Imperfect (for describing strange events)
Use of 'Lo' + adjective (Lo extraño es...)
수준별 예문
El gato es muy extraño.
The cat is very strange.
Masculine singular agreement.
Es un hombre extraño.
He is a strange man.
Adjective follows the noun.
Tengo una idea extraña.
I have a strange idea.
Feminine singular agreement.
No hables con extraños.
Don't talk to strangers.
Used here as a plural noun.
Hay un ruido extraño en la cocina.
There is a strange noise in the kitchen.
Basic descriptive use.
Este lugar es extraño.
This place is strange.
Used with the verb 'ser'.
Ella tiene ojos extraños.
She has strange eyes.
Plural agreement.
Es una comida extraña.
It is a strange food.
Feminine singular.
Me siento extraño en esta ropa.
I feel strange in these clothes.
Used with 'sentirse' to describe a feeling.
Es extraño ver nieve en verano.
It's strange to see snow in summer.
Impersonal expression 'Es extraño + infinitive'.
Vi un objeto extraño en el cielo.
I saw a strange object in the sky.
Standard adjective placement.
Él tiene un comportamiento muy extraño.
He has very strange behavior.
Describing a quality.
La película tuvo un final extraño.
The movie had a strange ending.
Past tense context.
Hay muchas personas extrañas en la fiesta.
There are many strange people at the party.
Plural feminine agreement.
Ese olor es muy extraño.
That smell is very strange.
Descriptive adjective.
Es extraño que no esté aquí.
It's strange that he isn't here.
Introduction to the subjunctive 'esté'.
Me parece extraño que ella no haya llamado.
It seems strange to me that she hasn't called.
Requires present perfect subjunctive.
Fue una extraña coincidencia encontrarte.
It was a strange coincidence to find you.
Adjective before the noun for emphasis.
Sentí una extraña sensación en el brazo.
I felt a strange sensation in my arm.
Describing a physical feeling.
No es extraño que se sienta así después de lo ocurrido.
It's not strange that he feels this way after what happened.
Negative impersonal expression with subjunctive.
El bosque estaba lleno de sonidos extraños.
The forest was full of strange sounds.
Plural masculine agreement.
Es un sentimiento extraño, pero me gusta.
It's a strange feeling, but I like it.
Contrastive sentence.
La casa tiene una atmósfera extraña.
The house has a strange atmosphere.
Describing an environment.
Me resulta extraño hablar de esto ahora.
I find it strange to talk about this now.
Using 'resultar' + adjective.
A pesar de ser hermanos, son muy extraños entre sí.
Despite being brothers, they are very like strangers to each other.
Meaning 'unfamiliar' or 'distant'.
Un extraño presentimiento me invadió al entrar.
A strange premonition came over me upon entering.
Literary placement before the noun.
Resulta extraño que nadie se diera cuenta del error.
It's strange that nobody noticed the error.
Imperfect subjunctive 'diera'.
La luz tenía un tono extraño antes de la tormenta.
The light had a strange hue before the storm.
Descriptive precision.
Se comportaba de una manera extraña y errática.
He was behaving in a strange and erratic manner.
Paired adjectives.
Es extraño pensar que hace un año no nos conocíamos.
It's strange to think that a year ago we didn't know each other.
Reflective usage.
Había algo extraño en su mirada que no pude descifrar.
There was something strange in his gaze that I couldn't decipher.
Using 'algo' + adjective.
No me extraña que haya decidido renunciar.
It doesn't surprise me (I don't find it strange) that he decided to quit.
The verb 'extrañar' meaning 'to surprise'.
El médico encontró un cuerpo extraño en la herida.
The doctor found a foreign body in the wound.
Technical/Medical usage meaning 'foreign'.
Sus ideas son extrañas a nuestra cultura.
His ideas are foreign/alien to our culture.
Meaning 'not belonging to'.
La extrañeza del paisaje nos dejó sin palabras.
The strangeness of the landscape left us speechless.
Noun form 'extrañeza'.
Es un fenómeno extraño a las leyes de la física.
It is a phenomenon alien to the laws of physics.
Formal academic usage.
Me produce una extraña mezcla de alegría y tristeza.
It produces a strange mix of joy and sadness in me.
Complex emotional description.
La novela explora la sensación de ser un extraño en su propia tierra.
The novel explores the feeling of being a stranger in one's own land.
Existential/Literary usage.
No es extraño al escándalo, pues ha tenido muchos.
He is no stranger to scandal, as he has had many.
Idiomatic usage 'ser extraño a'.
Esa teoría me resulta del todo extraña.
That theory seems completely foreign/strange to me.
Emphatic 'del todo'.
El extrañamiento brechtiano busca distanciar al espectador.
Brechtian estrangement seeks to distance the viewer.
Highly technical literary term.
Su prosa posee una extraña belleza, casi inquietante.
His prose possesses a strange beauty, almost unsettling.
Nuanced literary criticism.
Lo extraño, según Freud, es lo familiar que se ha vuelto oculto.
The uncanny, according to Freud, is the familiar that has become hidden.
Philosophical/Psychoanalytic usage.
Se sentía como un elemento extraño en un engranaje perfecto.
He felt like a foreign element in a perfect gear system.
Metaphorical usage.
La decisión fue tomada por motivos extraños a la lógica comercial.
The decision was made for reasons foreign to commercial logic.
Formal administrative/legal tone.
Hay una extraña simetría en el caos del universo.
There is a strange symmetry in the chaos of the universe.
Abstract philosophical observation.
Me extraña sobremanera que no haya habido una respuesta oficial.
It surprises me exceedingly that there has been no official response.
Formal verb usage with 'sobremanera'.
La extraña fisonomía del edificio atraía a todos los turistas.
The strange physiognomy of the building attracted all the tourists.
Sophisticated vocabulary (fisonomía).
자주 쓰는 조합
자주 쓰는 구문
자주 혼동되는 단어
관용어 및 표현
혼동하기 쉬운
문장 패턴
사용법
Extraño (I miss) vs Extraño (Strange). Context: 'Extraño mi casa' vs 'Mi casa es extraña'.
Raro is more common for 'weirdo' or 'unique'. Extraño is more for 'mysterious' or 'unknown'.
- Using 'extraño' to mean 'I miss' without a verb context.
- Forgetting to change 'extraño' to 'extraña' for feminine nouns.
- Using the indicative mood after 'Es extraño que...'.
- Confusing 'extraño' (strange) with 'extranjero' (foreigner).
- Using 'extraño' as a verb to mean 'to strange' (which doesn't exist in English or Spanish).
팁
Watch the Agreement
Always match 'extraño' with the noun's gender and number. 'Un libro extraño' but 'unas historias extrañas'. This is a common mistake for beginners.
Extraño vs. Raro
Use 'extraño' for things that are mysterious or unknown. Use 'raro' for things that are socially awkward or infrequent. They overlap, but this distinction helps.
Subjunctive Trigger
Memorize the phrase 'Es extraño que...' as a trigger for the subjunctive. It's an easy way to start using more complex grammar correctly. Practice with 'venga', 'esté', or 'haga'.
The 'Ñ' Sound
Don't forget the tilde on the 'ñ'. It's not 'extrano' (which isn't a word), it's 'extraño'. The sound is like the 'ny' in 'canyon' or 'onion'.
Verb vs. Adjective
If you see 'extraño' at the start of a sentence followed by a person, it's probably the verb 'to miss'. 'Extraño a Juan' = I miss Juan. 'Juan es extraño' = Juan is strange.
Placement for Effect
In creative writing, put 'extraño' before the noun to make it sound more poetic. 'Un extraño silencio' sounds more atmospheric than 'un silencio extraño'.
Listen for 'Lo'
Native speakers often say 'Lo extraño es...' (The strange thing is...). This is a common way to introduce a surprising fact or observation.
Stranger Danger
In Spanish, 'No hables con extraños' is the equivalent of 'Don't talk to strangers'. It's a phrase every child knows, using 'extraño' as a noun.
The 'X' sound
In some countries, the 'x' before a consonant is softened to an 's'. You might hear 'estraño'. Both are understood, but 'ks' is the formal standard.
Word Family
Learn 'extrañeza' (strangeness) at the same time. It's a great noun to use when you want to describe the feeling of a situation: 'Me dio mucha extrañeza'.
암기하기
기억법
Think of an 'EXTRA' person who is 'NEW' (extra-new) to you. They are a stranger (extraño).
어원
Latin
문화적 맥락
Calling someone 'un tipo extraño' is slightly more polite than 'un tipo raro', which can be insulting.
Strange occurrences are often discussed in the context of 'mal de ojo' or other folk beliefs in rural areas.
실생활에서 연습하기
실제 사용 상황
대화 시작하기
"¿Has visto algo extraño hoy?"
"¿Qué es lo más extraño que has comido?"
"¿Te parece extraño que todavía no haya internet?"
"¿Alguna vez te has sentido como un extraño en tu país?"
"¿Oíste ese ruido tan extraño anoche?"
일기 주제
Describe a strange dream you had recently.
Write about a time you felt like a stranger in a group.
What is the strangest thing in your room right now?
Describe a strange coincidence that happened to you.
If you saw a strange object in the sky, what would you do?
자주 묻는 질문
10 질문No, it can also mean 'unfamiliar' or 'unknown'. For example, 'un extraño' is a person you don't know, not necessarily a 'weird' person. It depends on whether it's used as a noun or an adjective. In many contexts, it simply means something is not what you are used to. It is a very flexible word in Spanish.
They are often synonyms, but 'raro' is more common in casual speech for 'weird'. 'Extraño' sounds slightly more formal or mysterious. 'Raro' can also mean 'rare' (like a rare diamond), whereas 'extraño' doesn't usually mean rare in terms of quantity. If you call someone 'raro', you might be calling them a weirdo. If you call them 'extraño', you might just mean you don't know them.
In Spanish, impersonal expressions that express an emotion, judgment, or doubt trigger the subjunctive. Since saying something is 'strange' is a subjective judgment or an emotional reaction, the following verb must be in the subjunctive mood. For example: 'Es extraño que él no venga'. This is a key rule for reaching intermediate fluency.
Yes, but only when it is the first-person singular of the verb 'extrañar'. For example, 'Extraño a mi familia' means 'I miss my family'. You can tell the difference because the verb will be followed by an object (often with the personal 'a'), while the adjective will modify a noun or follow a verb like 'ser' or 'parecer'.
You use 'extraño' as a noun: 'un extraño' (a male stranger) or 'una extraña' (a female stranger). You can also say 'desconocido', which literally means 'unknown person'. 'Extraño' is very common in phrases like 'No aceptes dulces de extraños' (Don't accept candy from strangers).
In modern Spanish, 'extranjero' is the standard word for 'foreign' in terms of countries. However, 'extraño' can still mean 'foreign to' in a more abstract or formal sense, such as 'un cuerpo extraño' (a foreign body/object) or 'ideas extrañas a nuestra fe' (ideas foreign to our faith). It implies something that doesn't belong.
The feminine form is 'extraña'. You must use it whenever you are describing a feminine noun. For example: 'una voz extraña' (a strange voice) or 'las personas extrañas' (the strange people). Agreement in gender and number is essential for correct Spanish grammar.
Not exactly. If you want to say you are surprised, you use the past participle 'extrañado'. For example: 'Me quedé extrañado por su reacción' (I was surprised/puzzled by his reaction). 'Extraño' is the quality of the thing that causes the surprise, not the feeling of the person.
Yes, it is extremely common. It is a core part of the Spanish vocabulary and is used daily by native speakers. You will hear it in songs, news, movies, and casual conversations. It is rated at the A2 level because it is essential for basic descriptions of the world around you.
In most Spanish dialects, the 'x' in 'extraño' is pronounced like 'ks' (eks-tra-nyo). However, in fast speech or in certain regions, it might sound closer to a simple 's' (es-tra-nyo). For learners, pronouncing it as 'ks' is the most clear and standard way to be understood.
셀프 테스트 180 질문
/ 180 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
The word 'extraño' is your go-to adjective for anything that feels 'off' or unknown. Whether you're describing a mysterious sound, a person you've never met, or a surprising situation, this word covers the spectrum from 'odd' to 'alien'.
- Extraño is a common A2-level adjective meaning 'strange', 'weird', or 'unfamiliar'. It must agree in gender and number with the noun it describes.
- As a noun, 'un extraño' refers to a stranger. As a verb, 'extrañar' means to miss someone or to find something surprising.
- It is frequently used in impersonal expressions like 'Es extraño que...' which requires the use of the subjunctive mood in the following clause.
- While similar to 'raro', 'extraño' often emphasizes the 'unfamiliar' or 'mysterious' aspect of something rather than just its rarity or social awkwardness.
Watch the Agreement
Always match 'extraño' with the noun's gender and number. 'Un libro extraño' but 'unas historias extrañas'. This is a common mistake for beginners.
Extraño vs. Raro
Use 'extraño' for things that are mysterious or unknown. Use 'raro' for things that are socially awkward or infrequent. They overlap, but this distinction helps.
Subjunctive Trigger
Memorize the phrase 'Es extraño que...' as a trigger for the subjunctive. It's an easy way to start using more complex grammar correctly. Practice with 'venga', 'esté', or 'haga'.
The 'Ñ' Sound
Don't forget the tilde on the 'ñ'. It's not 'extrano' (which isn't a word), it's 'extraño'. The sound is like the 'ny' in 'canyon' or 'onion'.
예시
Me pareció muy extraño que no respondiera al teléfono.
관련 콘텐츠
emotions 관련 단어
a diferencia de
B1형과 달리 나는 매우 조용하다.
abatido
B1매우 슬프거나 낙담한, 기가 죽은 상태.
abatimiento
B2「abatimiento」는 낙담, 의기소침 또는 기운이 없는 상태를 의미합니다.
abatir
B1Abatir: 누군가를 낙담시키거나 무언가를 쓰러뜨리다. '그 소식은 그를 낙담시켰다' (The news disheartened him).
abierto/a de mente
B2개방적인; 새로운 아이디어를 기꺼이 받아들이는.
aborrecer
B1혐오하다, 몹시 싫어하다. '나는 거짓말을 혐오한다.'
abrazar
A1껴안다 (Kkyeo-anda). '그녀는 동생을 꼭 껴안았다.' '그는 새로운 도전을 받아들이기로 했다.'
abrazo
A1누군가를 팔로 꽉 껴안는 행위; 포옹.
abrumador
B1양이나 강도가 너무 커서 감당하기 어려운, 압도적인 상태를 의미합니다.
abrumar
B1일이나 감정 등으로 누군가를 압도하다.
