exótico

exotic

adjective ek-SOH-tee-koh Rare

Origin: Greek exotikos (foreign), from exo (outside)

Usage Note

Exótico describes something foreign, unusual, or from a distant place, and like its English counterpart can carry a romanticised or othering connotation. The feminine is exótica. It is used for plants, animals, cuisine, and people, though applying it to people can sound patronising in contemporary usage. The related noun is exotismo (exoticism).

Examples

"El jardín tiene plantas exóticas de todo el mundo."

Natural Translation

The garden has exotic plants from all over the world.

Free starter pack

Building your Spanish vocabulary?

Get the 100 most common Spanish words as a free PDF — one email, no spam.

Related Words

Explore Spanish by topic

SpanishNow

Spanish Reflexive Verbs: Me, Te, Se Made Clear

Spanish reflexive verbs use me, te, se for actions you do to yourself. Master the daily-routine pattern, pronoun placement, and shifts like dormir vs dormirse.

June 9, 2026 6 min read

SpanishNow

How to Introduce Yourself in Spanish: 12 Real Phrases

Introduce yourself in Spanish with 12 ready-to-speak phrases — name, origin, age, and job — in both tú and usted, with the verb traps that trip up beginners.

June 9, 2026 5 min read

SpanishNow

Spanish Accent Marks: 3 Rules for Every Word

A Spanish word needs an accent mark in just three cases: it breaks the default stress, it's a homophone, or a weak vowel splits off. Here are all three rules.

June 3, 2026 6 min read

SpanishNow

You're Welcome in Spanish: Beyond De Nada

You're welcome in Spanish is more than de nada. Learn con gusto, no hay de qué, a la orden and more — and which to use by region and how formal the moment is.

June 3, 2026 6 min read