Expressing Surprise: Extrañar Que

This pattern uses the Subjunctive Mood.

Don't let that word scare you.

It is just a special verb form.

We use it for feelings and reactions.

Surprise is a very strong emotion.

Because you are reacting, the verb changes.

You are not stating a cold fact.

You are sharing how you feel about it.

Think of it like a grammar filter.

Your emotion colors the rest of the sentence.

Yes, even native speakers mess this up.

But you will be a pro soon.

It is like learning a secret handshake.

Once you know it, you are in.

1. 1Creating this sentence is like building Lego.
2. 2Follow these simple steps for success:
3. 3Start with an Indirect Object Pronoun.
4. 4Use me, te, le, nos, or les.
5. 5Add the verb extraña.
6. 6It usually stays in this singular form.
7. 7Put the word que next.
8. 8This is your bridge to the next part.
9. 9Add your subject (the person surprising you).
10. 10Use the verb in the Subjunctive.
11. 11For -ar verbs, use -e.
12. 12For -er and -ir verbs, use -a.
13. 13Example: Me extraña que él coma pizza.
14. 14It is like a three-part harmony.

Use this when something is unexpected.

Imagine you are at a job interview.

The boss is wearing a clown nose.

Me extraña que el jefe use eso.

Use it when a friend is quiet.

Normally, that friend talks a lot.

Me extraña que tú estés tan callado.

Use it for broken routines or habits.

If it rains in the middle of summer.

Me extraña que llueva tanto hoy.

It is perfect for gossiping with friends.

"Did you see what Juan did?"

It adds flavor to your Spanish conversations.

It is the spice in your grammar soup.

Do not use this for simple facts.

If you are certain, use the Indicative.

If you say "I know it is raining."

That is a boring, normal fact.

Sé que está lloviendo.

Do not use it for things you like.

If you like chocolate, use me gusta.

Surprise is different from preference.

Also, do not use it without a pronoun.

Extraña que... sounds like a robot talking.

You need that me or te.

It is like a car without wheels.

It just won't go anywhere.

Keep it personal and keep it emotional.

The biggest mistake is the "vowel trap."

Learners often use the normal verb form.

They say Me extraña que él viene.

This is a big ✗ in Spanish.

It must be Me extraña que él venga.

Another mistake is forgetting the que.

You cannot skip the bridge!

Some people forget the pronoun me.

They just say Extraña que...

This sounds very confusing to locals.

It is like saying "Surprises that he is here."

Who is surprised? We don't know!

Always remember: Pronoun + Extraña + Que + Subjunctive.

It is a simple rhythm to learn.

You might know me sorprende que.

They are like twin brothers.

Me sorprende is a bit more direct.

Me extraña has a hint of "this is weird."

It is slightly more common in Spain.

Another one is me parece raro que.

This also uses the Subjunctive mood.

It means "it seems strange to me."

You can use them almost interchangeably.

Think of me extraña as more elegant.

It shows you have a higher level.

It is like wearing a suit to grammar.

Both are correct, but one is cooler.

Choose the one that feels most natural.