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ambiente

ahm-BEE-ehn-tehamˈbjente

atmosphere, vibe

Also: setting
NounmA2
A cozy cafe corner bathed in warm, soft light, illustrating a pleasant atmosphere.

📝 In Action

Me encanta el ambiente relajado de este café.

A2

I love the relaxed atmosphere of this cafe.

La fiesta tenía un ambiente muy festivo y alegre.

B1

The party had a very festive and cheerful vibe.

¿Qué tal el ambiente en tu nuevo trabajo?

A2

How is the atmosphere (or 'vibe') in your new job?

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • atmósfera (atmosphere)
  • clima (climate, mood)

Common Collocations

  • crear ambiente – to create an atmosphere
  • ambiente familiar – family atmosphere/friendly setting

environment

Also: surroundings
NounmB1neutral/formal
A lush, green forest scene with sunlight filtering through the canopy, representing a natural environment.

📝 In Action

Necesitamos cuidar el medio ambiente para el futuro.

B1

We 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.

B1

The jungle environment is humid and warm.

Este tipo de pez vive en un ambiente de agua salada.

B2

This type of fish lives in a saltwater environment.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • entorno (surroundings)
  • hábitat (habitat)

Common Collocations

  • medio ambiente – the environment (ecology)
  • contaminación del ambiente – environmental pollution

social circle, milieu

Also: scene
NounmB2
Three diverse adults standing closely together, smiling and engaged in conversation, symbolizing a social circle.

📝 In Action

Ella prefiere trabajar en el ambiente académico.

B2

She prefers to work in the academic social circle (or 'milieu').

Hay mucha competencia en el ambiente político.

C1

There is a lot of competition in the political sector.

Era una figura clave del ambiente artístico de los 90.

B2

He was a key figure in the artistic scene of the 90s.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • círculo (circle)
  • sector (sector)

Common Collocations

  • ambiente laboral – workplace environment/social setting

Translate to Spanish

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: ambiente

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'ambiente' to mean 'social circle'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
ambiental(environmental) — Adjective
ambientar(to set the scene/to acclimatize) — Verb
ambientación(setting, atmosphere creation) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

Comes from the Latin word 'ambiens,' which meant 'going around' or 'surrounding.' It shares a root with words like 'ambition' (originally meaning 'going around seeking votes').

First recorded: 15th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: ambientPortuguese: ambiente

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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.