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A2 verb #1,500 most common 18 min read

extrañar

Top 1,500

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips extrañar in 30 Seconds

Explanation extrañar in your Level:

At the A1 level, learners are introduced to the most basic and frequent vocabulary needed for survival communication and expressing simple emotions. 'Extrañar' is introduced primarily as a vocabulary word to express the feeling of missing someone, usually family members or friends, as this is a very common emotion for people traveling or living abroad. Beginners learn the phrase 'Te extraño' (I miss you) as a fixed chunk of language, much like 'Te quiero' or 'Hola'. They are taught to use it with basic vocabulary: 'Extraño a mi mamá' (I miss my mom), 'Extraño mi casa' (I miss my house), or 'Extraño a mi perro' (I miss my dog). The grammatical focus is kept very simple. Learners are introduced to the personal 'a' when missing people, though they often make mistakes with it at this stage. The conjugation is usually limited to the present tense (yo extraño, tú extrañas, nosotros extrañamos). The secondary meaning of 'to surprise' is generally avoided at this level because the 'gustar'-like structure and the potential need for the subjunctive are too complex for A1 learners. The goal is simply to allow the student to express a basic emotional state of longing. Teachers often use pictures of family or hometowns to elicit the verb. It is a highly motivating word for beginners because it allows them to express genuine, heartfelt emotion very early in their language learning journey, fostering a deeper connection with the language.

At the A2 level, the understanding and usage of 'extrañar' expand significantly. Learners are now expected to use the verb in various tenses, particularly the preterite and imperfect, to talk about past feelings. They can say 'Te extrañé mucho' (I missed you a lot) after a friend returns from a trip, or 'Cuando vivía en París, extrañaba la comida mexicana' (When I lived in Paris, I used to miss Mexican food). This allows for storytelling and sharing personal experiences. The use of direct object pronouns becomes more prominent. Instead of always repeating the noun, A2 learners practice saying 'Lo extraño' (I miss him/it) or 'Las extraño' (I miss them). The distinction between 'extrañar' (emotional missing) and 'perder' (missing a bus/train) is explicitly taught and heavily practiced, as this is a major point of confusion for English speakers. Towards the end of the A2 level, the secondary meaning of 'to surprise' might be introduced in its simplest form, using only the indicative mood. For example, 'Me extraña su actitud' (His attitude surprises me). However, complex sentences requiring the subjunctive are still generally avoided. The focus remains on solidifying the primary meaning across different timeframes and ensuring grammatical accuracy with pronouns and the personal 'a'. Cultural notes regarding the preference for 'extrañar' in Latin America versus 'echar de menos' in Spain are also introduced to build sociolinguistic awareness.

At the B1 level, learners are ready to tackle the full grammatical complexity of 'extrañar'. The major milestone here is mastering the secondary meaning ('to surprise' or 'to seem strange') in conjunction with the subjunctive mood. B1 students learn that expressions of emotion and subjective reaction trigger the subjunctive in subordinate clauses. Therefore, they practice constructing sentences like 'Me extraña que no vengas a la fiesta' (It surprises me that you are not coming to the party) or 'Nos extrañó que el profesor cancelara la clase' (It surprised us that the professor canceled the class). This requires a solid grasp of indirect object pronouns, the 'gustar' verb structure, and present/past subjunctive conjugations. The primary meaning ('to miss') is also refined. Learners use it in more complex sentences with conditional tenses: 'Si te mudaras, te extrañaría mucho' (If you moved, I would miss you a lot). They also learn to express nuances of missing, using adverbs like 'demasiado' (too much) or 'un poco' (a little). The reflexive form 'extrañarse' (to be surprised/to wonder) is introduced: 'Me extraño de que no haya llamado' (I am surprised that he hasn't called). At this stage, students are expected to self-correct the common 'extrañar' vs. 'perder' mistake and comfortably use 'echar de menos' if they are focusing on Peninsular Spanish. 'Extrañar' becomes a tool for expressing complex emotional reactions and opinions in discussions and debates.

At the B2 level, 'extrañar' is fully integrated into the learner's active vocabulary, and the focus shifts to fluency, nuance, and idiomatic usage. Learners can effortlessly switch between the transitive meaning ('to miss') and the intransitive/indirect meaning ('to surprise') without hesitation. They use the verb in advanced grammatical structures, such as the pluperfect subjunctive and conditional perfect: 'Me habría extrañado que no hubieran ganado' (It would have surprised me if they hadn't won). They also explore more abstract uses of the verb. Instead of just missing people or places, they miss concepts or eras: 'Extraño la inocencia de la juventud' (I miss the innocence of youth). In terms of the 'surprise' meaning, B2 learners use it to express skepticism or suspicion, not just pure surprise. 'Me extraña que de repente tenga tanto dinero' (It's suspicious/strange to me that he suddenly has so much money). Synonyms like 'añorar', 'echar en falta', and 'sorprender' are actively used to avoid repetition and add stylistic variety to their speech and writing. Learners are also exposed to regional colloquialisms and idiomatic expressions involving the verb. The ability to use 'extrañar' to convey subtle shades of meaning—from a casual longing for a cup of coffee to a profound existential nostalgia, or from mild surprise to deep suspicion—demonstrates the linguistic maturity expected at the B2 level.

At the C1 level, learners possess a near-native command of 'extrañar'. They understand its etymological roots and how that history informs its modern dual meaning. They can analyze literature or poetry where 'extrañar' is used to evoke deep emotional resonance or to highlight the absurdity or strangeness of a situation. C1 users employ the verb in highly sophisticated and complex sentence structures, often involving passive voice, impersonal constructions, or nuanced subjunctive triggers. For example: 'No es de extrañar que la economía haya colapsado dadas las circunstancias' (It is not surprising that the economy collapsed given the circumstances). They are acutely aware of register and context, knowing exactly when 'añorar' is more appropriate than 'extrañar' in a formal essay, or when to use 'echar de menos' to align with a specific audience. They can play with the reflexive form 'extrañarse' to express philosophical wonder or bewilderment. At this level, mistakes with 'perder' or the personal 'a' are non-existent. The focus is on stylistic elegance and rhetorical effectiveness. They might use 'extrañar' to create irony or sarcasm: '¡Qué raro, no me extraña nada de él!' (How weird, nothing about him surprises me! - implying he always does strange things). Mastery at C1 means using the word not just correctly, but creatively and persuasively.

At the C2 level, the mastery of 'extrañar' is absolute and indistinguishable from an educated native speaker. The learner has internalized all semantic, syntactic, and pragmatic aspects of the verb. They can effortlessly navigate the most obscure or archaic uses of the word if encountered in classical literature (e.g., the original meaning of 'to banish' or 'to alienate'). In contemporary usage, they manipulate the verb to achieve precise rhetorical effects in both spoken and written discourse. They can use it in complex hypothetical scenarios, academic writing, and nuanced emotional expressions. C2 users intuitively understand the sociolinguistic weight of the word across different Spanish-speaking regions and can adapt their usage seamlessly. They might invent novel metaphors or poetic phrasing using 'extrañar'. For instance, describing a feeling of alienation within one's own culture: 'Me extraño en mi propia tierra' (I feel like a stranger / I surprise myself in my own land). They fully grasp the subtle interplay between 'extrañar' as missing and 'extrañar' as finding strange, sometimes blending the two concepts deliberately for artistic effect. At this pinnacle of proficiency, 'extrañar' is no longer just a vocabulary item to be translated; it is a fundamental conceptual tool used to articulate the complex human experiences of absence, anomaly, and emotional connection with absolute precision and grace.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

extrañar in 30 Seconds

To miss someone
To miss something
To surprise
To seem strange

The Spanish verb extrañar is a fascinating and dual-purpose word that primarily translates to 'to miss' (feeling the absence of someone or something) and secondarily translates to 'to surprise' or 'to seem strange'. Understanding the depth of this verb is crucial for mastering Spanish, especially in Latin America where it is the most common way to express longing. When you say you miss someone, you are expressing a deep emotional connection and a void left by their absence. This emotional resonance makes 'extrañar' one of the most frequently used verbs in interpersonal relationships, romantic contexts, and family dynamics. The word originates from the Latin 'extraneare', which meant to treat as a stranger or to alienate. Over centuries, the semantic evolution of the word shifted from 'making someone a stranger' to 'feeling the strangeness of someone's absence', and finally to the modern meaning of 'missing' someone. This evolution perfectly encapsulates the human experience of loss and longing. When someone is gone, their absence feels strange, unnatural, and deeply impactful. Furthermore, the secondary meaning of 'to surprise' directly connects to this etymological root: when something is strange or out of the ordinary, it surprises us. Therefore, 'me extraña' can mean 'it surprises me' or 'it seems strange to me'. Let us explore these meanings in detail through various structures and examples.

Primary Meaning: To Miss: Used to express sadness or longing because someone or something is no longer present. This is a direct transitive use where the person or thing missed is the direct object. If the object is a person, the personal 'a' is required.

Te voy a extrañar mucho cuando te vayas a la universidad.

I am going to miss you a lot when you go to college.

Secondary Meaning: To Surprise / Seem Strange: Used like the verb 'gustar', where the thing causing the surprise is the subject, and the person feeling the surprise is the indirect object. It often triggers the subjunctive mood when followed by 'que'.

Me extraña que no haya llamado todavía.

It surprises me (seems strange to me) that he hasn't called yet.

The dual nature of this verb requires learners to pay close attention to the grammatical structure of the sentence to determine the intended meaning. If you see a subject pronoun acting on a direct object (e.g., Yo extraño a mi perro), it means 'to miss'. If you see an indirect object pronoun followed by the verb and a subject or a 'que' clause (e.g., Le extraña tu comportamiento), it means 'to surprise' or 'to seem strange'. This syntactic divergence is a beautiful example of how Spanish utilizes sentence structure to convey entirely different emotional states using the exact same lexical item. The concept of missing someone is universal, but the linguistic mapping of this concept varies wildly across languages. English uses 'miss', which also means to fail to hit a target. French uses 'manquer', which operates backwards (you are missing to me). Spanish offers 'extrañar', connecting the feeling of loss to the feeling of strangeness. This makes the Spanish approach uniquely poetic. When you miss someone, their absence is an anomaly in your daily life; it is strange that they are not there. This deep semantic connection helps learners remember both meanings simultaneously. Furthermore, the verb can be used reflexively as 'extrañarse', meaning to be surprised or to wonder. For example, 'Me extraño de su actitud' means 'I am surprised by his attitude'. This reflexive usage adds another layer of complexity and richness to the verb. Mastering 'extrañar' is a significant milestone for any Spanish learner, as it unlocks the ability to express deep affection, nostalgia, and surprise, all of which are essential components of human communication and connection. By practicing both the direct transitive use for missing and the indirect use for surprise, learners will significantly enhance their conversational fluency and emotional expression in Spanish.

Reflexive Usage: Extrañarse: When used reflexively, it means to feel surprise or astonishment at something. It is often followed by the preposition 'de'.

Él se extrañó de ver la puerta abierta.

He was surprised to see the door open.

Extraño la comida de mi abuela.

I miss my grandmother's food.

No me extraña que estés cansado, trabajaste todo el día.

It doesn't surprise me that you are tired, you worked all day.

Using 'extrañar' correctly requires a solid understanding of Spanish sentence structure, particularly the difference between direct and indirect objects, as well as the use of the personal 'a'. Because the verb has two distinct meanings depending on its syntactic environment, learners must be precise in their construction. Let us break down the usage into two main categories corresponding to its meanings. First, when using 'extrañar' to mean 'to miss' (emotionally longing for someone or something), it functions as a standard transitive verb. The person who is feeling the longing is the subject of the sentence, and the person, place, or thing being missed is the direct object. If the direct object is a specific person or a pet, you must use the personal 'a' before the object. For example, 'Yo extraño a mi hermano' (I miss my brother). If you are replacing the person with a pronoun, you use direct object pronouns (me, te, lo, la, nos, os, los, las). For instance, 'Te extraño' means 'I miss you'. 'Lo extraño' means 'I miss him' or 'I miss it' (masculine object). This structure is straightforward and mirrors the English structure 'Subject + miss + Object'. However, the presence of the personal 'a' is a common stumbling block for English speakers, who might incorrectly say 'Extraño mi hermano' instead of the correct 'Extraño a mi hermano'.

Structure 1: To Miss (Transitive): Subject + extrañar + (personal 'a' if human/pet) + Direct Object. Example: (Yo) extraño a María.

Los niños extrañan a su padre cuando viaja.

The children miss their father when he travels.

The second major usage of 'extrañar' is to express surprise or that something seems strange. In this context, the verb functions similarly to 'gustar', 'encantar', or 'interesar'. The sentence structure is inverted compared to English. The thing causing the surprise is the grammatical subject of the sentence, and the person experiencing the surprise is the indirect object. Therefore, you must use indirect object pronouns (me, te, le, nos, os, les). For example, 'Me extraña su silencio' translates literally to 'His silence is strange to me', but is understood as 'His silence surprises me' or 'I find his silence strange'. In this structure, the verb 'extrañar' will almost always be conjugated in the third person singular (extraña) or plural (extrañan), depending on whether the subject (the thing causing surprise) is singular or plural. If the subject is a clause introduced by 'que' (that), the verb 'extrañar' is singular, and the verb in the 'que' clause must be in the subjunctive mood. This is because expressions of emotion, doubt, or subjective reaction trigger the subjunctive in Spanish. For example, 'Me extraña que no comas carne' (It surprises me that you don't eat meat). The use of the subjunctive here is non-negotiable and is a key marker of intermediate to advanced Spanish proficiency. Understanding this dual structure is essential. A common mistake is trying to use the 'gustar' structure for the meaning of 'to miss', resulting in nonsensical sentences like 'Me extraña a ti' instead of the correct 'Te extraño'.

Structure 2: To Surprise (Like Gustar): Indirect Object Pronoun + extrañar (3rd person) + Subject (the surprising thing). Example: Me extraña tu actitud.

Nos extraña mucho esta decisión repentina.

This sudden decision surprises us a lot.

Structure 3: To Surprise + Subjunctive: Indirect Object Pronoun + extraña + que + Subject + Verb in Subjunctive. Example: Me extraña que llueva hoy.

A Juan le extraña que María llegue tarde.

It surprises Juan that Maria is arriving late.

¿No te extraña ver la calle tan vacía?

Doesn't it seem strange to you to see the street so empty?

Siempre extrañaré los veranos en la playa.

I will always miss the summers at the beach.

The geographical distribution and contextual usage of 'extrañar' offer a fascinating glimpse into the diversity of the Spanish-speaking world. If you travel across Latin America, from the northern borders of Mexico down to the southern tip of Argentina and Chile, 'extrañar' is the undisputed king of expressing the concept of missing someone or something. It is heard in daily conversations, romantic ballads, telenovelas, literature, and formal speeches. In Mexico, you might hear a heartfelt '¡Te extraño muchísimo, güey!' among friends. In Argentina, a passionate 'Te extraño un montón, che' is common. The verb permeates all levels of society and all registers of speech in the Americas. It is a word laden with emotion, capable of conveying everything from a mild longing for a favorite food to the profound grief of missing a deceased loved one. The ubiquity of 'extrañar' in Latin American pop culture cannot be overstated. Countless songs feature the word in their titles or choruses, cementing its status as a core vocabulary item for anyone engaging with Latin American media. However, the story changes significantly when you cross the Atlantic to Spain. In Peninsular Spanish, the primary way to say 'to miss' is the phrase 'echar de menos'. While Spaniards understand 'extrañar' perfectly well in this context, they rarely use it themselves to mean 'to miss'. If a Spaniard says 'Te extraño', it might sound overly dramatic, poetic, or heavily influenced by Latin American media (which is increasingly common due to globalization and the popularity of Latin music). In Spain, 'extrañar' is almost exclusively reserved for its secondary meaning: 'to surprise' or 'to seem strange'.

Latin America: The primary and most common word for 'to miss'. Used universally across all contexts, formal and informal. Also used for 'to surprise'.

Extraño mucho mi país. (Common in LatAm)

I miss my country a lot.

Therefore, when a Spaniard says 'Me extraña', they mean 'That surprises me' or 'That's weird'. This regional divergence is a classic example of how vocabulary evolves differently in isolated populations. For a learner, this means adapting your vocabulary based on your target audience or location. If you are in Madrid and want to tell your friend you missed them, say 'Te he echado de menos'. If you are in Bogotá, say 'Te extrañé'. Despite this regional preference, the 'surprise' meaning of 'extrañar' is universal. 'Me extraña que digas eso' (It surprises me that you say that) is perfectly natural and common in both Spain and Latin America. Beyond regional differences, 'extrañar' is frequently heard in specific contexts. It is a staple of farewells at airports and train stations ('¡Te voy a extrañar!'). It is common in letters and messages to distant friends and family. It is also frequently used when talking about nostalgia for the past, such as missing one's childhood, a former home, or a previous job. In professional settings, it can be used formally to express the absence of a colleague: 'Extrañaremos la valiosa contribución del Dr. Pérez' (We will miss Dr. Perez's valuable contribution). In the context of surprise, it is often heard in debates, discussions, or when reacting to news. 'Me extraña la decisión del gobierno' (The government's decision surprises me) is a typical journalistic or analytical phrasing. Understanding these nuances of where and how 'extrañar' is used will greatly enhance your cultural competence and help you sound more natural in different Spanish-speaking environments.

Spain (Peninsular Spanish): Rarely used for 'to miss' (they prefer 'echar de menos'). Highly common for 'to surprise' or 'to seem strange'.

Me extraña que el tren llegue tarde. (Universal)

It surprises me that the train is arriving late.

Media and Pop Culture: Extremely prevalent in Latin music, romantic movies, and poetry to express deep longing and heartbreak.

Como te extraño mi amor, por qué será. (Famous song lyric)

How I miss you my love, why could it be.

Extrañamos los viejos tiempos.

We miss the old times.

Es de extrañar que nadie haya venido.

It is surprising that no one has come.

When learning 'extrañar', students frequently encounter several linguistic traps, primarily due to direct translation from English. The most glaring and common mistake is confusing 'extrañar' with 'perder'. In English, the verb 'to miss' covers a wide array of meanings: missing a person emotionally, missing a bus, missing a target, or missing a meeting. In Spanish, these concepts are strictly separated. 'Extrañar' is exclusively reserved for the emotional feeling of longing or the psychological feeling of surprise. You cannot use 'extrañar' to say you missed your flight. If you say 'Extrañé mi vuelo', a Spanish speaker will imagine you sitting at home, looking at a photo of an airplane, crying because you feel emotionally attached to that specific flight and wish it were with you. The correct verb for missing a mode of transportation or an opportunity is 'perder' (to lose). So, 'I missed the bus' is 'Perdí el autobús'. Another distinct meaning of 'miss' in English is failing to attend an event (like a class or a meeting). For this, Spanish uses 'faltar a'. 'I missed class today' translates to 'Falté a clase hoy'. Saying 'Extrañé la clase' means you felt sad because you weren't in class, not simply that you were absent. This semantic division is a major hurdle for beginners but is essential for clear communication.

Mistake 1: Using extrañar for transportation: Incorrect: Extrañé el tren. (Implies emotional longing for the train). Correct: Perdí el tren.

Llegué tarde porque perdí (not extrañé) el autobús.

I arrived late because I missed the bus.

Another frequent error involves the omission of the personal 'a'. As mentioned in the usage section, when the direct object of 'extrañar' is a specific person or a beloved pet, the preposition 'a' must precede it. English speakers naturally say 'I miss John', leading to the incorrect Spanish translation 'Extraño Juan'. The grammatically correct form is 'Extraño a Juan'. This tiny preposition is a crucial marker of direct objects that are people in Spanish, and forgetting it sounds very unnatural to native ears. Furthermore, learners often struggle with the syntax when 'extrañar' means 'to surprise'. Because English uses 'I am surprised' (Subject + Verb + Adjective), learners try to force 'extrañar' into this mold, resulting in incorrect phrases like 'Yo extraño que...' to mean 'I am surprised that...'. The correct structure requires treating 'extrañar' like 'gustar': 'Me extraña que...'. The thing causing the surprise is the subject, and the person is the indirect object. Failing to make this syntactic switch leads to significant confusion. Finally, when using 'Me extraña que...', learners often forget to use the subjunctive mood in the following clause. 'Me extraña que él viene' is incorrect; it must be 'Me extraña que él venga'. The emotion of surprise triggers the subjunctive, and omitting it is a classic intermediate-level error. By consciously practicing these distinctions—separating 'extrañar' from 'perder' and 'faltar', remembering the personal 'a', mastering the 'gustar'-like structure for surprise, and applying the subjunctive—students can avoid the most common pitfalls associated with this versatile verb.

Mistake 2: Omitting the personal 'a': Incorrect: Extraño mi mamá. Correct: Extraño a mi mamá. The 'a' is required for specific people.

¿Extrañas a tu novio?

Do you miss your boyfriend?

Mistake 3: Forgetting the Subjunctive: Incorrect: Me extraña que lo haces. Correct: Me extraña que lo hagas. Surprise requires subjunctive.

Me extraña que no sepas la respuesta.

It surprises me that you don't know the answer.

Falté a la reunión de ayer. (Not extrañé)

I missed the meeting yesterday.

Extraño a mis amigos de la infancia.

I miss my childhood friends.

The Spanish language offers a rich tapestry of vocabulary to express longing, absence, and surprise, providing several alternatives and nuances to 'extrañar'. The most prominent synonym, as discussed previously, is the phrase 'echar de menos'. This idiom is the standard way to say 'to miss' in Spain and is understood universally. While 'extrañar' is a single verb, 'echar de menos' functions as a verbal locution. Grammatically, they operate identically when taking direct objects: 'Te extraño' equals 'Te echo de menos'. However, 'echar de menos' cannot be used to mean 'to surprise'. It is strictly reserved for the emotional feeling of missing someone or something. Another beautiful, albeit more formal and poetic, synonym is 'añorar'. 'Añorar' conveys a deep, nostalgic longing, often for a time past, a distant homeland, or a profound loss. While you might 'extrañar' your keys or your daily coffee, you 'añorar' your youth or your deceased grandparents. It carries a heavier emotional weight and is frequently found in literature and formal writing. 'Recordar' (to remember) is also related, though not a direct synonym. Sometimes, saying 'te recuerdo mucho' (I remember you a lot) implies that you miss the person, focusing on the act of keeping them in your thoughts rather than the pain of their absence.

Echar de menos: The exact equivalent of 'extrañar' (to miss) in Peninsular Spanish. Used interchangeably in terms of meaning, but regionally distinct.

Te echo de menos todos los días.

I miss you every day.

When looking at the secondary meaning of 'extrañar' (to surprise), the most direct synonym is 'sorprender'. 'Sorprender' is the standard, universal verb for expressing surprise. 'Me sorprende que...' and 'Me extraña que...' are very similar, but 'extrañar' carries a slight nuance of 'seeming strange or odd', whereas 'sorprender' is a pure reaction to the unexpected. For example, if someone throws you a surprise party, you would say '¡Me sorprendiste!' (You surprised me!), not 'Me extrañaste' (which would mean 'You missed me'). However, if a usually punctual friend is late, you could say either 'Me sorprende su tardanza' or 'Me extraña su tardanza'. In this context, 'extrañar' emphasizes that the lateness is out of character and weird, while 'sorprender' just states the unexpectedness. Another related verb is 'asombrar' (to amaze/astonish), which is a stronger form of surprise, usually with a positive or awe-inspiring connotation. Understanding these subtle differences allows learners to choose the most precise word for their intended meaning. While 'extrañar' is incredibly versatile, knowing when to deploy 'echar de menos', 'añorar', or 'sorprender' elevates your Spanish from basic competence to nuanced fluency, allowing you to express the exact shade of emotion or reaction you are experiencing.

Añorar: To long for, to yearn. More poetic and profound than extrañar. Used for deep nostalgia.

El anciano añoraba los días de su juventud.

The old man longed for the days of his youth.

Sorprender: To surprise. The direct synonym for the secondary meaning of extrañar. Focuses on the unexpected rather than the 'strangeness'.

Me sorprende tu reacción.

Your reaction surprises me.

Hacer falta (e.g., Me haces falta - I miss you / I need you).

Another way to express missing someone, emphasizing the void they leave.

Desear (to desire/wish for).

Used when longing for something you don't currently have.

How Formal Is It?

Difficulty Rating

Grammar to Know

Personal 'a' with direct objects

Verbs like 'gustar'

Subjunctive mood with expressions of emotion

Direct vs. Indirect Object Pronouns

Preterite vs. Imperfect for past emotions

Examples by Level

Yo extraño a mi mamá.

I miss my mom.

Use the personal 'a' before a specific person.

Te extraño mucho.

I miss you a lot.

'Te' is the direct object pronoun for 'you'.

Extraño mi casa.

I miss my house.

No personal 'a' is needed for places or things.

¿Extrañas a tu perro?

Do you miss your dog?

Pets often take the personal 'a' because they are treated like people.

Nosotros extrañamos la comida.

We miss the food.

'Extrañamos' is the 'nosotros' (we) form.

Él extraña a su familia.

He misses his family.

'Extraña' is the third-person singular form.

Extraño el sol.

I miss the sun.

A simple direct object without a preposition.

Ellos extrañan la escuela.

They miss the school.

'Extrañan' is the 'ellos' (they) form.

Ayer te extrañé en la fiesta.

Yesterday I missed you at the party.

'Extrañé' is the preterite (past) tense for 'yo'.

Cuando viajaba, extrañaba mi cama.

When I traveled, I used to miss my bed.

'Extrañaba' is the imperfect tense, used for ongoing past feelings.

Me extraña su comportamiento.

His behavior surprises me.

Using the 'gustar' structure for the 'surprise' meaning.

Lo vamos a extrañar.

We are going to miss him.

'Lo' is the direct object pronoun for 'him'.

¿No me extrañaste?

Didn't you miss me?

Preterite tense in a question format.

Extraño los días de verano.

I miss the summer days.

Plural direct object.

Le extraña el ruido.

The noise seems strange to him/her.

'Le' is the indirect object pronoun.

Siempre extrañaré este lugar.

I will always miss this place.

'Extrañaré' is the future tense.

Me extraña que no me hayas llamado.

It surprises me that you haven't called me.

'Me extraña que' triggers the present perfect subjunctive ('hayas llamado').

Si te vas, te extrañaría demasiado.

If you leave, I would miss you too much.

'Extrañaría' is the conditional tense.

Nos extrañó que la tienda estuviera cerrada.

It surprised us that the store was closed.

Past tense 'extrañó' triggers the past subjunctive ('estuviera').

Es normal que extrañes tu país.

It is normal that you miss your country.

'Es normal que' triggers the present subjunctive ('extrañes').

Me extraño de su reacción tan violenta.

I am surprised by his very violent reaction.

Reflexive use 'extrañarse de' meaning to be surprised by.

Aunque la extraño, sé que es mejor así.

Even though I miss her, I know it's better this way.

Using 'aunque' (even though) with the indicative.

No me extraña nada lo que dice.

What he says doesn't surprise me at all.

Using 'nada' for emphasis with the surprise meaning.

Te he extrañado muchísimo este mes.

I have missed you very much this month.

Present perfect tense ('he extrañado').

Me habría extrañado que renunciara sin avisar.

It would have surprised me if he had resigned without giving notice.

Conditional perfect + pluperfect subjunctive.

Es de extrañar que aún no hayan llegado los resultados.

It is surprising that the results haven't arrived yet.

The impersonal phrase 'es de extrañar que' triggers the subjunctive.

Extraño la efervescencia cultural de aquella época.

I miss the cultural effervescence of that era.

Using 'extrañar' with abstract, complex nouns.

No te extrañes si mañana llueve a cántaros.

Don't be surprised if it pours rain tomorrow.

Negative imperative of the reflexive form ('no te extrañes').

Llevo años extrañando un hogar que ya no existe.

I have spent years missing a home that no longer exists.

Gerund form ('extrañando') with 'llevar + time'.

Por mucho que lo extrañe, no voy a llamarlo.

As much as I miss him, I am not going to call him.

'Por mucho que' + subjunctive ('extrañe') expresses concession.

Me extraña sobremanera su falta de empatía.

His lack of empathy surprises me exceedingly.

Using advanced adverbs ('sobremanera') to modify the verb.

Ese comportamiento no es de extrañar en él.

That behavior is not surprising coming from him.

'No es de extrañar' used as a fixed expression meaning 'it's typical'.

Resulta harto de extrañar que el comité haya aprobado semejante despropósito.

It is highly surprising that the committee approved such nonsense.

Formal phrasing ('resulta harto de extrañar') + present perfect subjunctive.

La extrañeza de su mirada me hizo comprender cuánto me extrañaba.

The strangeness of her look made me understand how much she missed me.

Playing with the noun 'extrañeza' and the verb 'extrañar'.

Se extrañó a sí mismo al descubrir que ya no la extrañaba.

He surprised himself upon discovering that he no longer missed her.

Double use of the verb: reflexive for surprise, transitive for missing.

Nada hay que extrañar en la decadencia de un imperio corrupto.

There is nothing to be surprised about in the decay of a corrupt empire.

Literary/formal structure ('Nada hay que extrañar').

Añoraba su tierra, pero extrañaba aún más la persona que solía ser allí.

He longed for his land, but he missed even more the person he used to be there.

Contrasting 'añorar' (land) with 'extrañar' (past self).

Me extraña que te extrañe que yo lo extrañe.

It surprises me that it surprises you that I miss him.

A complex chain of subjunctive clauses playing on the dual meaning.

Su ausencia se hizo notar, pero nadie se atrevió a decir que lo extrañaba.

His absence was noticed, but no one dared to say they missed him.

Imperfect tense in a complex narrative sentence.

Era de extrañar la celeridad con la que se resolvieron los trámites.

The speed with which the procedures were resolved was surprising.

Imperfect 'era de extrañar' followed by a noun phrase.

El destierro le obligó a extrañarse de su propia patria, literal y metafóricamente.

The exile forced him to alienate himself from his own homeland, literally and metaphorically.

Using the archaic/etymological meaning of 'extrañar' (to alienate/banish).

No me extraña en absoluto la inopia intelectual que destilan sus argumentos.

The intellectual poverty that his arguments exude does not surprise me in the least.

Highly elevated vocabulary ('inopia', 'destilan') surrounding the verb.

Vivía inmerso en una perpetua melancolía, extrañando lo que nunca llegó a poseer.

He lived immersed in a perpetual melancholy, missing what he never came to possess.

Philosophical/poetic use of the gerund.

Que el gobierno claudicara ante tales presiones no es, a fin de cuentas, nada de extrañar.

That the government yielded to such pressures is, ultimately, nothing to be surprised about.

Subjunctive subject clause + 'nada de extrañar'.

Se extrañaba de la extrañeza ajena ante lo que él consideraba cotidiano.

He was surprised by the surprise of others at what he considered everyday.

Masterful repetition of the root word for rhetorical effect.

A fuerza de extrañarla, su recuerdo se había convertido en una presencia tangible.

By dint of missing her, her memory had become a tangible presence.

'A fuerza de' + infinitive expresses consequence of repeated action.

Resultaría harto extrañable que la providencia interviniera en asuntos tan mundanos.

It would be highly surprising/odd if providence intervened in such mundane affairs.

Using the rare adjective derivative 'extrañable'.

Desterrado y extrañado, vagó por el mundo buscando un eco de su pasado.

Banished and alienated, he wandered the world looking for an echo of his past.

Using the past participle 'extrañado' in its classical sense of 'exiled/alienated'.

Synonyms

echar de menos añorar sorprender asombrar recordar desear maravillar desconcertar

Antonyms

olvidar acostumbrarse esperar ignorar

Common Collocations

extrañar mucho

extrañar demasiado

no extrañar nada

hacerse extrañar

es de extrañar

no me extraña

extrañar la comida

extrañar a la familia

empezar a extrañar

dejar de extrañar

Common Phrases

Te voy a extrañar.

Me extraña que...

No es de extrañar.

¡Cómo te extraño!

Se hace extrañar.

Ya te extraño.

No me extraña nada.

Es normal extrañar.

Extraño los viejos tiempos.

Me extraña su actitud.

Often Confused With

extrañar vs perder (to miss a bus/train)

extrañar vs faltar a (to miss a class/meeting)

extrañar vs sorprender (similar to the secondary meaning, but extrañar implies strangeness)

Idioms & Expressions

"echar de menos (Spain equivalent)"

"brillar por su ausencia"

"hacer falta"

"partir el alma (when missing someone deeply)"

"sentir un vacío"

"causar extrañeza"

"no caber de asombro"

"quedarse a cuadros (surprise)"

"dejar de piedra (surprise)"

"no dar crédito (surprise)"

Easily Confused

extrañar vs

Sentence Patterns

How to Use It

regional

LatAm: To miss / To surprise. Spain: To surprise.

semantic

Never use for missing an event or transportation.

syntactic

Requires personal 'a' for human direct objects.

Common Mistakes

Using 'extrañar' instead of 'perder' to mean missing a bus or train.
Omitting the personal 'a' when the direct object is a person (e.g., saying 'Extraño mi hermano' instead of 'Extraño a mi hermano').
Failing to use the subjunctive after 'Me extraña que...'.
Confusing the direct object pronouns (Te extraño) with indirect object pronouns (Me extraña) and misunderstanding the meaning.
Using 'extrañar' instead of 'faltar a' to mean missing an appointment or class.

Tips

The Personal 'A'

Never forget the personal 'a' when missing a person. 'Extraño a Juan' is correct. 'Extraño Juan' sounds very wrong to native speakers.

Don't Miss the Bus

Use 'perder' for missing transportation or opportunities. 'Perdí el autobús', not 'Extrañé el autobús'.

Subjunctive Trigger

Memorize 'Me extraña que' as a trigger phrase for the subjunctive. It will save you from making a common intermediate mistake.

Know Your Audience

If you are in Madrid, say 'Te echo de menos'. If you are in Mexico City, say 'Te extraño'. Adapt to your environment.

Pronunciation of Ñ

Practice the 'ñ' sound. It is not an 'n'. It sounds like the 'ny' in 'canyon'. Ex-tra-NYAR.

Añorar for Poetry

If you are writing an essay or a poem and want to sound sophisticated, use 'añorar' instead of 'extrañar' for deep nostalgia.

Reflexive Surprise

You can use 'extrañarse de' to mean 'to be surprised by'. 'Me extraño de su actitud' is a great advanced structure.

Missing an Event

If you miss a class or a meeting, use 'faltar a'. 'Falté a la clase', not 'Extrañé la clase'.

No es de extrañar

Learn the phrase 'No es de extrañar'. It translates perfectly to 'It's no wonder' or 'It's not surprising'.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

EXTRAñar: When someone is gone, you have EXTRA time to think about them, which makes you MISS them. Or, it's EXTRA strange (surprise).

Word Origin

Cultural Context

Highly prevalent in Latin romantic music (boleros, bachata, pop).

Can be used in both highly formal and very informal contexts.

LatAm uses extrañar for 'to miss'. Spain uses echar de menos.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Conversation Starters

"¿Qué es lo que más extrañas de tu infancia?"

"¿Alguna vez has extrañado tanto a alguien que te duele?"

"¿Qué te extraña de la cultura de este país?"

"¿Extrañas la comida de tu país cuando viajas?"

"¿Te extraña que la tecnología avance tan rápido?"

Journal Prompts

Escribe sobre una persona a la que extrañas mucho en este momento.

Describe una situación reciente que te haya extrañado (sorprendido).

¿Qué extrañarías más si tuvieras que mudarte a otro planeta?

Escribe una carta a tu 'yo' del pasado diciéndole qué extrañas de esa época.

¿Por qué crees que a veces extrañamos cosas que no eran tan buenas?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, you cannot. In Spanish, 'extrañar' is only used for emotional missing (longing) or for surprise. To say you missed a flight, train, or bus, you must use the verb 'perder' (to lose). For example, 'Perdí mi vuelo'.

There is no difference in meaning when they translate to 'to miss'. The difference is purely regional. 'Echar de menos' is the standard phrase used in Spain, while 'extrañar' is the standard verb used in Latin America. However, 'echar de menos' cannot mean 'to surprise'.

Because 'mi mamá' is a specific person acting as the direct object of the verb. In Spanish grammar, whenever the direct object is a specific person (or a beloved pet), you must precede it with the preposition 'a'. This is called the 'personal a'.

Usually, no. While grammatically it could mean 'He misses me' (He = subject, me = direct object), in 99% of contexts, 'Me extraña' uses the 'gustar' structure and means 'It surprises me' or 'It seems strange to me'.

You use the structure 'Me extraña que...' followed by a verb in the subjunctive mood. For example, 'Me extraña que él no venga' (I am surprised that he isn't coming). The subjunctive is required because it expresses an emotion/reaction.

You can absolutely use it for things, places, or abstract concepts. You can say 'Extraño mi cama' (I miss my bed), 'Extraño mi país' (I miss my country), or 'Extraño el silencio' (I miss the silence). You do not use the personal 'a' for things.

It is a common phrase that means 'to make oneself missed'. If someone hasn't visited in a long time, you might say 'Te haces extrañar', meaning 'You are making us miss you' or 'You've been a stranger'.

Yes, 'extrañar' is a completely regular -AR verb in all tenses and moods. It conjugates exactly like 'hablar' or 'cantar'. Yo extraño, tú extrañas, él extraña, etc.

Historically, yes. The etymological root of the word meant to alienate or banish someone (make them a stranger). While this usage is archaic and rare in modern everyday Spanish, you might encounter it in classic literature or legal/historical texts.

You simply use 'extrañar' followed by the infinitive of the verb. For example, 'Extraño jugar al fútbol' (I miss playing soccer) or 'Extraño vivir en la costa' (I miss living on the coast).