Extranjero is used as both a noun and an adjective in Spanish.
/eks.tɾan.'xe.ɾo/
The word extranjero refers to a person who is not a citizen of the country in which they are currently located. As an adjective, it describes something as being foreign or from another country. In legal contexts, it may pertain to matters concerning non-citizens or issues that involve international law. The word is relatively common and can be found in both oral and written contexts, although it is more frequently encountered in written forms, especially in legal documents and discussions about immigration.
El extranjero se siente perdido en la nueva ciudad.
The foreigner feels lost in the new city.
Las leyes del país son muy diferentes para los extranjeros.
The laws of the country are very different for foreigners.
He tenido la oportunidad de conocer a varios extranjeros en mis viajes.
I have had the opportunity to meet several foreigners during my travels.
The word extranjero forms part of several idiomatic expressions in Spanish.
Example: Es enriquecedor tener un amigo extranjero porque aprendes sobre su cultura.
It is enriching to have a foreign friend because you learn about their culture.
Ser un extranjero en casa
To feel like a foreigner at home
Example: Desde que cambié de barrio, me siento como un extranjero en casa.
Since I moved neighborhoods, I feel like a foreigner at home.
Mirar a un extranjero con desconfianza
To look at a foreigner with distrust
Example: A veces, las personas miran a un extranjero con desconfianza, pero eso no es justo.
Sometimes, people look at a foreigner with distrust, but that is not fair.
Sentirse como un pez fuera del agua (not directly using "extranjero," but is a common expression related to being foreign)
To feel like a fish out of water
The word extranjero comes from the Latin term extraneus, which means "strange" or "foreign." It evolved through Old Spanish before acquiring its current form. The roots of extraneus stem from extra- which means "outside" and -neus related to "belonging to."
Synonyms: - Forastero (outsider) - Foráneo (foreign)
Antonyms: - Nacional (national) - Ciudadano (citizen)
This comprehensive overview of the word extranjero reflects its usage in various contexts in the Spanish language, capturing both its grammatical functionality and cultural significance.