What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of te (you), extraño (I miss) and amor (love).
Which one should you use?
Te echo de menos is a common alternative to te extraño used primarily in Spain, whereas te extraño is more common in Latin America.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, you can use the phrase Te echo de menos, cariño. or Me muero por verte, amor. to convey longing. In Mexico, the phrase Te extraño, mi vida. is commonly used to express missing someone. In Argentina, the phrase Te extraño, mi amorcito. is used to express longing.
How does it change in a sentence?
Changing the verb from the present tense extraño to the imperfect tense extrañaba as in te extrañaba, amor expresses that you had been missing the person over a period of time leading up to the moment of speaking.
How do you pronounce it?
/te e(ɡ)sˈtɾaɲo aˈmoɾ/
Did you know?
- The phrase te echo de menos used in Spain literally translates to 'I throw you from less', a construction that has no logical equivalent in English.
- In Spanish, the concept of missing someone is often expressed through the verb extrañar, which literally means 'to find something strange' or 'to feel the absence of the normal'.
- The Spanish word extraño shares the same root as the English word 'extraneous'.
Examples in context
- Te extraño, amor, vuelve pronto.I miss you, love, come back soon.
- Cada día te extraño, amor.I miss you every day, love.
- Te extraño, amor, no puedo esperar a verte.I miss you, love, I can't wait to see you.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Elena are talking on the phone late at night.
- AlejandroHola, Elena. Te extraño, amor.Hello, Elena. I miss you, love.
- ElenaYo también te extraño mucho, Alejandro.I miss you a lot too, Alejandro.
- Alejandro¿Cuándo volverás a casa?When will you come back home?
- ElenaEstaré allí el próximo viernes.I will be there next Friday.
