What does it mean word for word?
The word extrañaba is the first-person singular imperfect form of the verb extrañar, which means to miss or to find strange.
Which one should you use?
The form extrañaba tu voz (I missed your voice) describes a continuous state of missing the voice over a period of time in the past. In contrast, extrañé tu voz would imply a completed, specific moment of missing it. If you want to say you are missing the voice right now in the present tense, use extraño tu voz.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The phrase me hace falta escuchar tu voz is more prevalent in Latin America than in Spain.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form extrañaba tu voz uses the imperfect tense to imply a continuous state of missing the voice during a period in the past.
How do you pronounce it?
/eɡstɾaɲaba tu boθ/
Did you know?
- The verb extrañar comes from the word for 'strange' or 'foreign'. To miss someone in Spanish is literally to feel that their absence makes your world feel strange.
- In Spain, people often use the verb echar de menos instead of extrañar. If you say extraño tu voz in Madrid, locals will immediately recognize you as being from the Americas.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, saying me hace falta tu voz sounds less like a poetic sentiment and more like a practical statement of a deficiency, as if your voice were a missing tool or resource.
Examples in context
- Hola, señor Pérez. Le llamo para decirle cuánto extraño su voz en las juntas. Espero que todo esté bien.Hello, Mr. Perez. I'm calling to let you know how much I miss your voice during the meetings. I hope everything is alright.
- ¡Hola, amiga! Han pasado tantos días sin escuchar tu voz. Te extraño mucho, especialmente tu voz. ¿Cuándo podemos hablar?Hi, friend! It has been so many days without hearing your voice. I miss you a lot, especially your voice. When can we talk?
- Extrañaba tu voz durante nuestro viaje.I missed your voice during our trip.
- Extrañaba tu voz cuando no hablábamos.I missed your voice when we weren't speaking.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Lucía are talking on the phone after a long time apart.
- AlejandroHola Lucía, qué bueno escucharte.Hello Lucía, it is good to hear you.
- LucíaGracias, Alejandro. ¿Cómo has estado?Thanks, Alejandro. How have you been?
- AlejandroBien, pero extrañaba tu voz.Fine, but I missed your voice.
- LucíaYo también te extrañaba mucho.I missed you a lot too.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
