Spanish word

extraterrestre

Pronunciation

IPA/ekstɾateˈrestɾe/

Meaning

  • noun (m./f.)alien

Example

¿Has visto alguna vez a un extraterrestre?

Have you ever seen an alien?

Illustration for extraterrestre (alien)

More examples

No creo en extraterrestres.

I don't believe in aliens.

Core concept

Life or entity originating off Earth.

Common phrases

  • ver un extraterrestre

    spot an alien

  • creer en extraterrestres

    believe in aliens

  • hablar de extraterrestres

    talk about aliens

Similar words

alienígena: Originate off Earth, typically used in scientific or formal descriptions.
marciano: Originate on Mars, indicating a specifically Martian origin.
ser de otro planeta: Originate on a planet other than Earth.

Definition in Spanish

Ser vivo o entidad que procede de un planeta distinto de la Tierra.

Word origin

Derived from Latin extra "outside" plus terra "earth", originally the adjective extraterrestris and later adopted into Spanish to name beings or entities from other planets.

Usage tips

  • Frequently used metaphorically in casual speech to describe something or someone very unusual, so context decides whether the meaning is literal or figurative.

Other meanings

  • extraterrestrialadjective

Opposites

  • terrestreearth-dwellernoun
  • terrícolaearthlingnoun

Word lists with this word