raro
/ˈraɾo/
The English word 'odd' can be translated into Spanish as raro or extraño.
Meaning: strange (adj)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| raro | /ˈraɾo/ |
| extraño | /e(ɡ)sˈtɾaɲo/ |
Both words are used to describe something that is strange or odd. In colloquial speech, raro is very commonly used to mean 'weird' or 'strange'. To add emphasis, you can say muy raro/a for 'very strange' or realmente extraño/a for 'really odd'.
Which one should you use?
While raro is a common way to say 'odd', be aware that it can also mean 'rare' or 'uncommon' depending on the context. Extraño is another standard way to express that something is odd.
How does it change in a sentence?
These adjectives must agree in gender with the noun they modify. For raro, use rara for feminine nouns. For extraño, use extraña for feminine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈraɾo/
Did you know?
- Spanish uses the word impar to describe an 'odd number'. Neither raro nor extraño can be used when talking about mathematics.
- In Spanish, extraño can also be used as a verb, extrañar, which means to miss someone or to find something strange.
- The Spanish word raro comes from the Latin 'rārus', which refers to something thin or sparsely distributed.
Examples in context
- Está pasando algo raro.There's something odd going on.This sentence uses raro to describe something odd going on.Tatoeba #2071821 by Shishir, translation #2064859 by CK
- Esto me parece extraño.This seems odd to me.This sentence uses extraño to say something seems odd to someone.Tatoeba #7578249 by arh, translation #7962430 by shekitten
- Esto puede parecer extraño.It may seem odd.This sentence uses extraño to express that something may seem odd.Tatoeba #6629018 by Schuager, translation #1690797 by Spamster
- El comportamiento de Juan es extraño.Juan's behavior is odd.
- Este fenómeno es raro en esta región.This phenomenon is odd in this region.
- Esa película es muy rara.That movie is really odd.
- ¡Qué extraño que no haya venido nadie!How strange that nobody came!
- ¡Qué rarita es esta mascota!What a quirky pet!
- Esa casa es muy pintoresca.That house is quite odd/quirky.
- 17 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
María and Javier are talking about a new neighbor.
- MaríaEse vecino es un poco raro.That neighbor is a bit odd.
- JavierSí, siempre camina muy rápido.Yes, he always walks very fast.
- MaríaEs un comportamiento muy raro.It is a very strange behavior.
- JavierTienes razón, María.You are right, María.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “odd” translations and entries raro, extraño, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries extraño, raro, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
