amiga
“amiga” means “friend” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
friend
Also: girlfriend, pal
📝 In Action
Mi mejor amiga se llama Sofía.
A1My best friend's name is Sofía.
Voy a salir con unas amigas esta noche.
A1I'm going out with some friends tonight.
Te presento a Elena, es mi amiga.
A2Let me introduce you to Elena, she's my friend.
En algunos contextos, la presentó como su amiga para no decir que era su novia.
B1In some contexts, he introduced her as his 'friend' to avoid saying she was his girlfriend.
friendly
Also: allied
📝 In Action
La nación amiga nos ofreció su apoyo.
B1The friendly nation offered us its support.
Es una empresa amiga que siempre colabora con nosotros.
B2It's a friendly company that always collaborates with us.
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: amiga
Question 1 of 2
If you are introducing your female friend, María, what would you say?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes from the Latin word 'amīca', which is the female version of 'amīcus' (friend). This Latin word grew from the verb 'amāre', which means 'to love'.
First recorded: Around the 10th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'amiga' and 'compañera'?
'Amiga' implies a personal, emotional connection (a friend). 'Compañera' is more about a shared situation, like a classmate ('compañera de clase') or a coworker ('compañera de trabajo'). You can be compañeras without being amigas.
Is it okay to call a stranger 'amiga'?
Yes, in many Spanish-speaking regions, it's a common and friendly way to address a woman you don't know, especially in informal settings like a market or a store. It creates a warm, welcoming tone.