Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA |
|---|---|
| estranho | /isˈtɾɐ̃.ɲu/ (Brazil) /esˈtɾɐ̃.ɲu/ (Brazil) |
| bizarro | /biˈza.ʁu/ (Brazil) /biˈza.ʁu/ (Rio de Janeiro) |
The term is used to describe something that deviates from the normal or is bizarre. As an adjective, it describes a person, place or thing. Interestingly, estranho can also function as a noun to mean 'a stranger'.
Which one should you use?
While estranho is the general word for 'weird' or 'strange', bizarro is often used to imply something more surreal, grotesque or strikingly out of the ordinary.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Portugal, you might commonly hear the word esquisito used for 'weird'. In some regions, particularly in Brazil, the word maluco can also be used to describe someone or something as 'weird'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective must agree in gender and number with the noun it describes. estranho is the masculine singular form, estranha is used for feminine nouns, estranhos is used for multiple masculine or mixed-gender nouns and estranhas is used for multiple feminine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of estranho is /isˈtɾɐ̃.ɲu/. It has three syllables and the stress is on the second syllable.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often use 'bizarro' to mean 'weird' in a casual sense, but in Portuguese, estranho is the much more common and natural choice for everyday strangeness.
Did you know?
- In Portugal, the word esquisito can be a compliment when talking about food, meaning 'exquisite' or 'delicious' rather than 'weird'.
- In Brazilian Portuguese, calling someone bizarro can sometimes be used as a slang term for something that is impressively cool or shocking in a positive way.
- While estranho describes something 'weird', the word estrangeiro is used for 'foreign'. Both words share the same root, linking the idea of being 'strange' with being from another land.
Examples in context
- O Japão é estranho.Japan is weird.This sentence uses estranho to describe a country.Tatoeba #5369083 by bill, translation #2276564 by Hybrid
- Isso é tão estranho.That's so weird.This sentence uses estranho to describe a situation or thing.Tatoeba #1534368 by alexmarcelo, translation #1534365 by Spamster
- O Tom está estranho.Tom's weird.This sentence uses estranho to describe a person.Tatoeba #2108419 by MarlonX19, translation #2107652 by CK
- O comportamento dele é muito estranho.His behavior is very weird.
- Aquela situação foi completamente bizarra.That situation was completely weird.
- Aquele filme é muito esquisito, não entendi nada!That movie is really weird, I didn't understand anything!
- Aquele cara é maluco de pedra!That guy is stone-cold crazy!
- Aquela pessoa é mesmo esquisita.That person is really weird.
- Esse filme é doido demais!This movie is so weird!
- 76 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Beatriz and Lucas are walking in a park when they see a strange animal.
- BeatrizAquele animal é muito estranho.That animal is very weird.
- LucasSim, eu nunca vi algo assim.Yes, I have never seen anything like it.
- BeatrizO comportamento dele é estranho.Its behavior is weird.
- LucasVamos sair daqui agora.Let's get out of here now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “weird” translations and entries estranho, bizarro, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
