What does it mean word for word?
In the phrase Te extraño, papá, te is the direct object pronoun for "you" (informal) and extraño is the first-person singular present indicative of extrañar (to miss).
Which one should you use?
Te extraño is more common in Latin America, whereas Te echo de menos is a common alternative used primarily in Spain. For more affection, you might use papi instead of papá. Other ways to express this feeling include Me haces falta, viejo (I miss you, old man) or Siento tu ausencia, pa (I feel your absence, pa).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, Te echo de menos, papá is commonly used to mean "I miss you, Dad".
How does it change in a sentence?
To change the meaning from the present to the past, you can use the imperfect tense: Te extrañaba, papá means "I missed you, dad" or "I was missing you, dad", expressing that you had been missing him over a period of time in the past.
How do you pronounce it?
/te e(ɡ)sˈtɾaɲo paˈpa/
Did you know?
- The phrase Te echo de menos used in Spain literally translates to 'I throw you of fewer', a curious construction that has no literal meaning in English.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, calling one's father viejo (old man) is a term of deep affection and respect rather than a comment on his age.
- The word extraño is a cognate of the English words 'strange' and 'extraneous'. It originally comes from the Latin word for 'foreign' or 'external'.
Examples in context
- Te extraño terriblemente, papá.I miss you terribly, Dad.
- Siento tu ausencia profundamente, padre.I deeply feel your absence, father.
- Te extraño mucho, papá. Espero verte pronto y poder abrazarte de nuevo.I miss you a lot, Dad. I hope to see you soon and embrace you again.
- Siempre te extraño, papá, cuando estoy lejos.I always miss you, dad, when I am far away.
- Hoy te extraño, papá, más que nunca.Today I miss you, dad, more than ever.
Example conversation
Sofía is calling her father on the phone.
- SofíaHola, ¿cómo estás?Hi, how are you?
- JavierEstoy bien, Sofía. ¿Y tú?I am fine, Sofía. And you?
- SofíaBien, pero te extraño, papá.Good, but I miss you, dad.
- JavierYo también te extraño, hija.I miss you too, daughter.
