te extraño
/te eɡstɾaɲo/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'I miss you' can be translated into Spanish as te extraño or te echo de menos.
Meaning: I miss you (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| te extraño | /te eɡstɾaɲo/ (from spelling rules) |
| te echo de menos | /te ˌet͡ʃo de ˈmenos/ |
Both forms are used to express that you miss someone. You can increase the intensity of the sentiment with certain variations. For example, Te extraño un montón is a casual and affectionate way to say 'I miss you a lot' to a friend, while the slang phrase Te extraño un chingo is a colloquial way to express missing someone, specifically in Mexico.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase te echo de menos is an idiom that literally translates to 'I throw you of less'.
Which one should you use?
While both mean 'I miss you', te extraño is more common in Latin America, whereas te echo de menos is more common in Spain.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, it is common to use the slang expression Te extraño un chingo.
How do you pronounce it?
/te eɡstɾaɲo/
Did you know?
- The Spanish word for 'missing someone' is used differently than the English verb 'to miss', because extrañar cannot be used for missing a bus or a train.
- The word extraño shares a common ancestor with the English words 'strange' and 'extraneous'.
- Depending on the region, using te extraño in Spain can sometimes sound overly dramatic or like a line from a soap opera.
Examples in context
- Te echo de menos.I miss you.Tatoeba #454574 by Shishir, translation #1308 by brauliobezerra
- Tom, te echo de menos.I miss you, Tom.Tatoeba #2011041 by Shishir, translation #1887572 by CK
- Te extraño cuando no estás acá.I miss you when you're not here.using the form te extraño.Tatoeba #1646718 by hayastan, translation #1329779 by CK
- Hola, querido amigo. Te echo de menos y deseo que nos veamos pronto.Hello, dear friend. I miss you and hope we see each other soon.
- Apreciado amigo, te extraño mucho. Los buenos momentos que pasamos juntos siempre estarán en mi corazón.Dear friend, I miss you so much. The good times we spent together will always remain in my heart.
- ¡Hola, colega! Te extraño un montón. Cuando nos vemos, siempre hay risas y buenos momentos.Hey, buddy! I miss you a lot. Whenever we meet, there are always laughs and good times.
- Ey, bro. Te echo de menos. Deberíamos planear una reunión de amigos pronto.Hey, bro. I miss you. We should plan a friend's gathering soon.
- 14 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and Lucía are talking on the phone while she is traveling.
- AlejandroHola, Lucía, te extraño mucho.Hello, Lucía, I miss you a lot.
- LucíaYo también te extraño, Alejandro.I miss you too, Alejandro.
- Alejandro¿Cuándo vas a volver a casa?When are you coming back home?
- LucíaVuelvo el próximo lunes.I'll be back next Monday.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “I miss you” translations and entries te echo de menos, 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 de, echo, extraño, menos, te, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
