Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| extraño | /e(ɡ)sˈtɾaɲo/ |
| raro | /ˈraɾo/ |
Both extraño and raro are used to describe things that are not normal. Extraño often refers to things that are foreign, unfamiliar or unknown to one's experience. In Mexico, the form extrañísimo is used specifically to refer to something that is extremely strange or odd.
Which one should you use?
While both words mean 'strange', extraño carries a connotation of being foreign or unfamiliar. In contrast, raro is more commonly used to describe something that is 'weird' or 'odd' in a social or situational sense.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Chilean Spanish, the colloquial term cuático(a) is used to express the idea of strange. In Mexico, as mentioned, extrañísimo is used for something extremely odd.
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, the form must agree with the noun it describes. For example, extraño becomes extraña to agree with a feminine noun. Similarly, raro changes to raros to agree with a masculine plural noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/e(ɡ)sˈtɾaɲo/
Did you know?
- The word extraño can function as both an adjective meaning 'strange' and a verb meaning 'I miss'. For example, extraño mi casa means 'I miss my home'.
- The word raro comes from the Latin 'rarus', which is the same root used in the English word 'rare'. In Spanish, however, it has shifted from meaning 'scarcely found' to frequently meaning 'odd' or 'weird'.
- The Spanish word extraño is a distant cousin of the English word 'strange'. They both trace their roots back to the same ancient ancestral terms for things that are 'outside' or 'external'.
Examples in context
- Es un poco raro.It's sort of strange.This sentence is useful for using the form raro to describe a situation.Tatoeba #7906926 by arh, translation #42706 by CK
- Soy un poco raro.I'm a bit strange.This sentence is useful for using the form raro to describe oneself.Tatoeba #2223675 by Shishir, translation #9169177 by DJ_Saidez
- Me suena muy raro.It sounds very strange to me.This sentence is useful for using the form raro to describe how something sounds.Tatoeba #9150409 by Galko, translation #4091321 by CK
- La situación era muy extraña.The situation was very strange.
- Me encontré con una persona muy rara en la calle.I met a very strange person on the street.
- Esa película es muy extraña, ¿verdad?That movie is really strange, isn't it?
- No me gusta esa comida, tiene un sabor demasiado raro.I don't like that food, it has a really strange taste.
- 213 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
María and Alejandro are walking in a quiet park.
- MaríaEste lugar es muy extraño.This place is very strange.
- AlejandroSí, no hay nadie aquí.Yes, there is nobody here.
- MaríaSiento un ruido extraño.I hear a strange noise.
- AlejandroTal vez es solo el viento.Maybe it is just the wind.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “strange” translations and entries extraño, raro, 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.
