ambos
/am-bos/
both
As an adjective or determiner, 'ambos' means 'both,' indicating two specific things (e.g., both children).
📝 In Action
Ambos niños juegan en el parque.
A2Both children are playing in the park.
Leí ambas novelas en una semana.
A2I read both novels in one week.
En ambos casos, la respuesta es la misma.
B1In both cases, the answer is the same.
💡 Grammar Points
Always Comes Before the Noun
Think of 'ambos' as a word that describes 'how many.' Just like you'd say 'dos niños' (two children), you say 'ambos niños' (both children). It always goes right before the thing you're talking about.
Matches the Gender: 'Ambos' or 'Ambas'
This word changes to match the gender of the noun it describes. Use 'ambos' for masculine things ('ambos libros') or mixed groups ('ambos, Juan y María'). Use 'ambas' for feminine things ('ambas sillas').
❌ Common Pitfalls
Adding 'de los'
Mistake: "Me gustan ambos de los coches."
Correction: Me gustan ambos coches. You don't need to add 'de los' or 'de las' after 'ambos' when it's followed by a noun. It connects directly!
⭐ Usage Tips
'Ambos' vs. 'Los dos'
Both 'ambos' and 'los dos' mean 'both' and are often interchangeable. 'Ambos' can sound a little more formal or written, while 'los dos' is very common in everyday conversation. You can't go wrong with either!
As a pronoun, 'ambos' stands alone, meaning 'both' (of them), referring back to two previously mentioned items or people.
📝 In Action
¿Prefieres el té o el café? — Me gustan ambos.
B1Do you prefer tea or coffee? — I like both.
Mis hermanas son doctoras. Ambas viven en Madrid.
B1My sisters are doctors. Both live in Madrid.
Hablé con el gerente y el subgerente; ambos estuvieron de acuerdo.
B2I spoke with the manager and the assistant manager; both agreed.
💡 Grammar Points
Stands Alone to Avoid Repetition
When you've already mentioned two people or things, you can use 'ambos' or 'ambas' by itself to mean 'both of them.' This helps your Spanish sound more natural and less repetitive.
Still Matches Gender
Even when used alone, it must match the gender of the things it's replacing. If you're talking about 'dos chicas,' you would say 'Ambas son de Argentina' (Both are from Argentina).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting it's Always Plural
Mistake: "Tengo dos opciones, y ambo es bueno."
Correction: Tengo dos opciones, y ambas son buenas. Because 'ambos' always refers to two things, it's always plural. It never exists in a singular form like 'ambo'.
⭐ Usage Tips
A Connector in Sentences
Use 'ambos' at the beginning of a new sentence to smoothly connect back to the previous one. Example: 'Vi a Juan y a Pedro. Ambos me saludaron.' (I saw Juan and Pedro. Both greeted me.)
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: ambos
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence is correct? 'Tengo dos hermanas. ___ son muy altas.'
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'ambos' and 'los dos'?
They mean the same thing ('both') and are often interchangeable. 'Los dos' (or 'las dos') is very common in everyday conversation. 'Ambos' can sound a tiny bit more formal, but it's also used all the time. You can use whichever you feel more comfortable with!
Is there a singular form, like 'ambo'?
No, there isn't. Because 'ambos' by definition means two things, it's always plural. You will only ever see it as 'ambos' (for masculine or mixed groups) or 'ambas' (for feminine groups).
Do I need to put 'a' after 'ambos' when talking about people?
No, you don't. Unlike some other structures, you just say 'Ambos quieren...' (Both want...). You don't need the 'personal a' directly after 'ambos' when it's the subject of the sentence.