Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| en el extranjero | /en el eɡstɾanxeɾo/ (from spelling rules) | |
| en el exterior | /en el eɡsteɾjoɾ/ (from spelling rules) | |
| en extranjis | /en eɡstɾanxis/ (from spelling rules) | colloquial |
| al extranjero | /al eɡstɾanxeɾo/ (from spelling rules) | |
| a extranjis | /a eɡstɾanxis/ (from spelling rules) | colloquial |
These phrases are used as adverbs to describe being or going in foreign countries. You can also use the related nouns el extranjero or extranjis to refer to the foreign lands or countries themselves.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase en el extranjero literally translates to 'in the foreign' (referring to a foreign land or place).
Which one should you use?
While en el extranjero is the standard, en el exterior is a more formal or neutral alternative frequently used in Latin American Spanish. In contrast, en extranjis and a extranjis are highly informal slang versions.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For formal contexts, you can use the expression fuera del país (outside the country). The terms en extranjis and a extranjis are colloquial and should be avoided in formal speech.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina and Uruguay, you may hear al exterior used instead of en el extranjero. In Spain, the expression fuera de España is occasionally used to mean abroad.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Use al extranjero if you are expressing movement toward a foreign country (such as 'to go abroad').
How do you pronounce it?
/en el eɡstɾanxeɾo/
Did you know?
- The word extranjero shares the same linguistic roots as the English word 'strange'.
- The noun el extranjero can mean 'abroad', but it is also the standard word for 'the stranger' in a person-to-person context.
- If you use the slang version en extranjis in a professional setting in Spain or Mexico, you may appear unprofessional or uneducated.
Examples in context
- Se fue al extranjero.He went abroad.This sentence shows how to use al extranjero to express movement.Tatoeba #1119981 by Shishir, translation #294739 by CK
- ¿Has ido al extranjero?Have you gone abroad?This sentence uses al extranjero to ask about past travel.Tatoeba #10097644 by Eremon, translation #10046976 by langue
- Nos vamos al extranjero.We're going abroad.This sentence uses al extranjero to describe an upcoming trip.Tatoeba #10097643 by Eremon, translation #9941829 by ddnktr
- Estoy estudiando en el extranjeroI am studying abroad
- Vivo en el extranjeroI live abroad
- Viajaré fuera del país este veranoI will travel abroad this summer
- Mi hermano trabaja fuera del paísMy brother works abroad
- Mis padres viven en otro país desde hace cinco añosMy parents have been living in another country for five years
- 214 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofía and Javier are talking about their future plans.
- SofíaQuiero estudiar un año en el extranjero.I want to study for a year abroad.
- JavierEso suena genial, Sofía. ¿A dónde irías?That sounds great, Sofía. Where would you go?
- SofíaMe gustaría vivir en el extranjero, quizá en Francia.I would like to live abroad, maybe in France.
- JavierSería una experiencia increíble para ti.It would be an incredible experience for you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “abroad” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries el, en, exterior, extranjero, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
