ambiente
/ahm-BEE-ehn-teh/
atmosphere
The general feeling or atmosphere of a place is one meaning of ambiente.
ambiente(noun)
atmosphere
?the general feeling of a place
,vibe
?informal mood or character
setting
?the physical background of an event
📝 In Action
Me encanta el ambiente relajado de este café.
A2I love the relaxed atmosphere of this cafe.
La fiesta tenía un ambiente muy festivo y alegre.
B1The party had a very festive and cheerful vibe.
¿Qué tal el ambiente en tu nuevo trabajo?
A2How is the atmosphere (or 'vibe') in your new job?
💡 Grammar Points
Masculine Noun
Even though it ends in '-e', 'ambiente' is always masculine, so you must use 'el' or 'un' before it: 'El ambiente es bueno'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'La'
Mistake: "La ambiente es buena."
Correction: El ambiente es bueno. ('Ambiente' is masculine.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Vibe Check
If you want to ask about the 'vibe' of a place, use the question: '¿Qué ambiente hay?' (What atmosphere is there?)
When referring to physical surroundings or the natural world, ambiente translates to environment.
ambiente(noun)
environment
?the natural world or physical surroundings
surroundings
?physical context
📝 In Action
Necesitamos cuidar el medio ambiente para el futuro.
B1We need to take care of the environment for the future. (Note: 'medio ambiente' is the standard phrase for 'the environment' in Spanish.)
El ambiente de la selva es húmedo y cálido.
B1The jungle environment is humid and warm.
Este tipo de pez vive en un ambiente de agua salada.
B2This type of fish lives in a saltwater environment.
💡 Grammar Points
Ecological Use
When talking about the natural world or ecology, Spanish almost always uses the two-word phrase 'medio ambiente' (literally 'middle environment'), not just 'ambiente'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Formal vs. Informal
Use 'medio ambiente' in formal writing or when discussing global issues. Use just 'ambiente' when describing localized physical conditions (e.g., 'el ambiente está frío aquí').
Ambiente can also refer to a social circle or community.
ambiente(noun)
social circle
?a specific group of people or a community
,milieu
?a person's social environment
scene
?e.g., the artistic scene
📝 In Action
Ella prefiere trabajar en el ambiente académico.
B2She prefers to work in the academic social circle (or 'milieu').
Hay mucha competencia en el ambiente político.
C1There is a lot of competition in the political sector.
Era una figura clave del ambiente artístico de los 90.
B2He was a key figure in the artistic scene of the 90s.
💡 Grammar Points
Referring to People
When used this way, 'ambiente' describes the group or context, not the people themselves. If you want to talk about the people, use 'gente' or 'círculo'.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: ambiente
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'ambiente' to mean 'social circle'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'ambiente' masculine or feminine?
'Ambiente' is always a masculine noun, meaning you must use 'el' or 'un' before it, even though it ends in '-e'. This is a common exception to Spanish noun rules.
How is 'ambiente' different from 'atmósfera'?
'Ambiente' is much more common and versatile; it can mean vibe, physical setting, or environment. 'Atmósfera' is usually reserved for the literal air layer around the Earth or a very abstract, deep mood.