Meaning
To feel the absence or long for a person or a thing.
Cultural Background
In Mexico, 'extrañar' is the absolute standard. Using 'echar de menos' will mark you immediately as a foreigner or someone who watches too much Spanish television. Spaniards use 'extrañar' more frequently to mean 'to find something strange'. For emotional missing, they almost always use 'echar de menos'. Argentines use 'extrañar' with great passion. It's common to hear it in Tangos, often associated with 'el barrio' (the neighborhood) or a lost love. In Colombia, 'hacer falta' is a very common and slightly more tender alternative to 'extrañar'.
The 'A' Rule
Always remember the 'personal a' for people. It's the #1 marker of a B1 student moving toward B2.
Bus Trap
Don't tell a bus driver 'Lo extraño' unless you are in a very weird romantic relationship with the bus.
Meaning
To feel the absence or long for a person or a thing.
The 'A' Rule
Always remember the 'personal a' for people. It's the #1 marker of a B1 student moving toward B2.
Bus Trap
Don't tell a bus driver 'Lo extraño' unless you are in a very weird romantic relationship with the bus.
Spain vs LatAm
If you're in Madrid, use 'echar de menos' to sound like a local. In Mexico City, 'extrañar' is king.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'extrañar' and the 'personal a' if necessary.
Yo mucho ___ mis hermanos.
The subject is 'Yo' (extraño) and 'mis hermanos' are people, so we need 'a'.
Which sentence is correct to say 'I missed the train'?
Choose the correct option:
'Extrañar' is for emotions; 'perder' is for transport.
Complete the dialogue.
A: ¿Cómo estás en Londres? B: Bien, pero _______ mucho la comida de mi mamá.
Food is an object, so no 'personal a' is needed.
Match the use of 'extrañar' to the context.
Context: 'Me extraña que no haya luz.'
In this structure, 'extrañar' means to find something strange or surprising.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Extrañar vs. Perder
Practice Bank
4 exercisesYo mucho ___ mis hermanos.
The subject is 'Yo' (extraño) and 'mis hermanos' are people, so we need 'a'.
Choose the correct option:
'Extrañar' is for emotions; 'perder' is for transport.
A: ¿Cómo estás en Londres? B: Bien, pero _______ mucho la comida de mi mamá.
Food is an object, so no 'personal a' is needed.
Context: 'Me extraña que no haya luz.'
In this structure, 'extrañar' means to find something strange or surprising.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, it is very common and respectful to say 'Extraño mucho a mi abuelo'.
It is neutral. It works in a business email (e.g., missing a colleague's expertise) and in a love letter.
'Añorar' is more formal and usually implies a deeper, more poetic nostalgia for the past.
In that context, it means 'It surprises me'. It's a different grammatical structure.
Yes, in Hispanic culture it is very common and doesn't always have a romantic connotation.
You say 'Yo también te extraño'.
Yes, but mostly to mean 'to find strange'. For 'to miss', they prefer 'echar de menos'.
Usually, you 'te pierdes' (miss/lose out on) an event. You only 'extrañas' it after it's over and you feel nostalgic.
Both are used. 'Lo' is the direct object, but 'le' is common in 'leísta' regions like parts of Spain.
Yes, 'Extraño el olor a café por la mañana' is perfectly correct.
Related Phrases
Echar de menos
synonymTo miss (standard in Spain).
Hacer falta
similarTo be needed/missed.
Añorar
specialized formTo long for with nostalgia.
Perder
contrastTo lose or miss (a bus/opportunity).
Estar de más
contrastTo be extra/unnecessary.
