amante
“amante” means “lover” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
lover, enthusiast
Also: devotee
📝 In Action
Mi abuelo siempre fue un gran amante de la ópera.
B2My grandfather was always a great lover of opera.
Los amantes de la naturaleza se reúnen aquí cada primavera.
C1Nature lovers gather here every spring.
lover, mistress
Also: paramour
📝 In Action
La novela cuenta la historia de un hombre y su amante secreta.
C1The novel tells the story of a man and his secret lover/mistress.
Su amante le regaló un collar muy caro.
C1His lover gave him a very expensive necklace.
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: amante
Question 1 of 1
Which of these sentences uses 'amante' in the sense of 'enthusiast' rather than 'romantic partner'?
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📚 Etymology▼
The word comes directly from the Latin word *amans*, which means 'loving' or 'one who loves.' It is the present participle of the Latin verb *amāre* (to love).
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does 'amante' change for masculine and feminine?
No, the word 'amante' itself stays the same. It is a common gender noun. You use the articles 'el' (for male) and 'la' (for female) to show the gender: 'el amante' (the male lover) and 'la amante' (the female lover or mistress).
Is 'amante' a strong or sensitive word?
It depends on the context. When you use it to mean 'a lover of art' or 'a nature lover,' it is completely neutral and positive. When used to mean 'romantic partner,' it often carries the implication of an affair or a relationship outside of marriage, which can be a sensitive topic.