Extraño algo
/eɡstɾaɲo alɡo/from spelling rules
The English phrase "I miss something" is translated into Spanish as Extraño algo.
Extraño algo is used to express the feeling of longing for an object, a situation or an abstract concept.
What does it mean word for word?
The word extraño comes from the verb extrañar (to miss/to wonder), and algo means "something".
Which one should you use?
While extraño algo is common in Latin America, echo de menos algo is a common way to express the same feeling in Spain.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the phrase añorar is commonly used to express a deeper longing for someone or something. Additionally, echo de menos algo is a common way to express the same feeling in Spain.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb extraño is the first-person singular present indicative form of extrañar.
How do you pronounce it?
/eɡstɾaɲo alɡo/
Did you know?
- In Spain, the common phrase echo de menos literally translates to 'I throw of less'. This idiomatic structure uses the verb echar which usually means 'to throw' or 'to cast'.
- If you call a person extraño in Spanish, you are not saying you miss them, but rather that you find them 'strange' or 'weird'.
- The Spanish word extraño shares a distant ancestry with the English word 'strange', as both evolved from roots describing things that are outside the norm.
Examples in context
- Extraño mi hogarI miss my home
- Extraño a mi familiaI miss my family
- Extraño mucho a mi perroI miss my dog a lot
- Extrañamos las vacacionesWe miss the holidays
- Le extraño mucho, papáI miss you a lot, dad
- Les extrañamos, amigosWe miss you, friends
- Añoro aquellos tiemposI miss those times (with a deeper sense of longing)
- Extraño algo de mi antigua ciudad.I miss something about my old city.
- Extraño algo de la comida de mi madre.I miss something about my mother's cooking.
Example conversation
Sofía and Alejandro are talking about their old school.
- SofíaExtraño algo de aquellos días.I miss something about those days.
- Alejandro¿Qué es exactamente, Sofía?What is it exactly, Sofía?
- SofíaNo sé, solo es un sentimiento.I don't know, it's just a feeling.
- AlejandroYo también me siento así, Sofía.I feel that way too, Sofía.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries algo, extraño, CC BY-SA 4.0.
