Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| extraterrestre | /eɡstɾateˈrestɾe/ | feminine, masculine |
| alienígena | /aljeˈnixena/ | feminine, masculine |
In Spanish, you can use extraterrestre or alienígena to refer to a life form that does not originate from Earth. Both words can also function as adjectives to describe things pertaining to extraterrestrial life.
What does it mean word for word?
The word extraterrestre is a literal combination of the prefix extra-, meaning outside and terrestre, meaning terrestrial or Earth.
Which one should you use?
Extraterrestre is used as a noun for an alien and as an adjective for things related to extraterrestrial life. Alienígena can be used as a noun for an alien, but it can also be an adjective meaning not belonging to the same country.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Both extraterrestre and alienígena are used as both masculine and feminine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/eɡstɾateˈrestɾe/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using the English word alien when speaking Spanish. It is not a valid Spanish word for an extraterrestrial life form.
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, the colloquial term marciano is often used instead of extraterrestre, regardless of whether the alien is actually from Mars.
- If you see the word alienígena in a Spanish news report about biology, it likely refers to a species that is non-native to an ecosystem, not necessarily a creature from outer space.
- While alienígena refers to space beings in science fiction, in legal contexts it describes a person who is not a citizen of the country they are in.
Examples in context
- No creo en extraterrestres.I don't believe in alien life.This sentence is useful for expressing a lack of belief in extraterrestres.Tatoeba #1726856 by hayastan, translation #4269171 by ocirne
- ¿Entonces Superman es un alienígena?So Superman is an alien?This sentence uses alienígena to ask a question about a character.Tatoeba #7945921 by Seael, translation #13320068 by frpzzd
- El alienígena es incorpóreo, como un fantasma.The alien is incorporeal, like a ghost.This sentence uses alienígena to describe a specific characteristic of an extraterrestrial.Tatoeba #10200195 by Seael, translation #4006447 by nonong
- El objeto volador no identificado (OVNI) fue avistado por un grupo de científicos y se sospecha que puede ser un extraterrestre.The unidentified flying object (UFO) was sighted by a group of scientists, and there is suspicion that it might be an alien.
- Vimos una película de marcianos anoche y los efectos especiales eran increíbles.We watched a Martian movie last night, and the special effects were amazing.
- El hombre del espacio que dicen que vieron por aquí resultó ser un globo de helio.The space man they say they saw around here turned out to be a helium balloon.
- La película trataba sobre aliens que visitan la Tierra en busca de su líder perdido.The movie was about aliens visiting Earth in search of their lost leader.
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a science fiction movie.
- SofíaEsa película trata sobre un extraterrestre.That movie is about an alien.
- Daniel¿Es un extraterrestre amigable?Is he a friendly alien?
- SofíaNo, el extraterrestre es muy peligroso.No, the alien is very dangerous.
- DanielEntonces me da miedo el extraterrestre.Then the alien scares me.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “alien” translations and entries extraterrestre, alienígena, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
