ama
“ama” means “loves” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
loves
Also: cherishes, is fond of
📝 In Action
Mi abuela ama las flores de su jardín.
A1My grandmother loves the flowers in her garden.
Él ama el deporte y la vida sana.
A1He loves sport and a healthy life.
Usted ama la música clásica, ¿verdad?
A2You (formal) love classical music, right?
mistress, housekeeper
Also: landlady, nursemaid
📝 In Action
Mi madre es ama de casa y cuida de nosotros.
A2My mother is a housewife and takes care of us.
La joven trabajó como ama de llaves en la mansión.
B2The young woman worked as a housekeeper in the mansion.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: ama
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'ama' as a noun (a person's job)?
📚 More Resources
📚 Etymology▼
The verb form comes directly from the Latin word *amare*, meaning 'to love.' The noun form for 'mistress/housekeeper' is related, stemming from the feminine form of *amo* (master) and influenced by the Latin word *domina* (lady/mistress of a house).
First recorded: Medieval Spanish
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if 'ama' means 'loves' or 'housekeeper'?
You can tell by the words around it. If it’s followed by 'a' or a direct object (like 'chocolate'), it's usually the verb ('loves'). If it’s followed immediately by 'de casa' or 'de llaves', it's the noun ('housekeeper/housewife').
Is 'ama' the same as 'amá' (with an accent)?
No. While they sound very similar, 'ama' is the verb/noun we defined here. 'Amá' (used regionally, often in Central America) is sometimes used informally as a shortened, affectionate version of 'mamá' (mom).