amigo

/ah-MEE-go/

Two diverse male friends standing side-by-side with their arms around each other's shoulders, smiling warmly at the camera in a park setting.

Just like in English, 'amigo' refers to a male friend, a person you like and trust.

amigo (Noun)

mA1

friend?a male friend

Also:pal?informal,buddy?informal

📝 In Action

Juan es mi mejor amigo.

Juan is my best friend.

Hice muchos amigos en mi viaje a México.

I made many friends on my trip to Mexico.

Oye, amigo, ¿me puedes ayudar?

Hey, friend, can you help me?

Word Connections

Synonyms

compañero (companion)
colega (colleague)

Antonyms

enemigo (enemy)

Common Collocations

hacer amigos – to make friends
un amigo del alma – a soul mate / a very close friend

Idioms & Expressions

Amigos hasta la muerte. – Friends forever.
Hoy por ti, mañana por mí. – You scratch my back, I'll scratch yours. (A motto for good friends).

💡 Grammar Points

Gender: Amigo vs. Amiga

Use 'amigo' for a male friend. For a group of friends, use 'amigos' if there's at least one male. Use 'amiga' only for a female friend, and 'amigas' for a group of all-female friends.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Confusing 'Amigo' with 'Boyfriend'

Mistake: "Él es mi amigo. (Thinking it means 'He is my boyfriend.')"

Correction: To say 'boyfriend,' you usually use 'novio.' Saying 'Él es mi amigo' almost always just means 'He is my (platonic) friend'.

⭐ Usage Tips

Addressing Strangers

In some places, people might call a stranger 'amigo' in a friendly way, like saying 'pal' or 'mate' in English. For example, 'Disculpe, amigo, ¿qué hora es?' (Excuse me, friend, what time is it?).

A friendly golden retriever dog wagging its tail and looking approachable and kind.

Less commonly, 'amigo' can be used to describe something as being friendly or helpful.

amigo (Adjective)

mB2

friendly?describing a relationship or disposition

Also:allied?nations or groups,helpful?kind, well-disposed

📝 In Action

Le ofreció una mano amiga cuando más lo necesitaba.

He offered her a friendly (helping) hand when she needed it most.

Los dos países mantienen relaciones amigas.

The two countries maintain friendly relations.

Word Connections

Synonyms

amistoso (friendly)
amable (kind)

Antonyms

hostil (hostile)

Common Collocations

una mano amiga – a helping hand
un país amigo – an allied/friendly country
un consejo amigo – a friendly piece of advice

💡 Grammar Points

Matching the Noun

When used to describe something, 'amigo' changes to match. For example, 'un país amigo' (a friendly country) or 'una nación amiga' (a friendly nation).

❌ Common Pitfalls

Overusing for 'Friendly'

Mistake: "Él es muy amigo."

Correction: It's much more natural to say 'Él es muy amistoso' or 'Él es muy amable' to mean 'He is very friendly.' Using 'amigo' this way is more for set phrases.

⭐ Usage Tips

When to Use It

You'll almost always see this adjective form in set phrases like 'una mano amiga' (a helping hand) or 'un consejo amigo' (a friendly piece of advice). It's not typically used on its own to describe a person.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: amigo

Question 1 of 2

You are talking about a group of friends that includes both boys and girls. How would you refer to them?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

amiga(friend (female)) - noun

amistad(friendship) - noun

amistoso(friendly) - adjective

amigable(friendly / amicable) - adjective

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between 'amigo' and 'compañero'?

'Amigo' implies a personal, emotional connection—a friend. 'Compañero' is more like a companion, partner, or colleague, like a 'compañero de clase' (classmate) or 'compañero de trabajo' (coworker). You can be compañeros without being amigos.

How do I say 'my friends'?

For a group of all male friends or a mixed-gender group, say 'mis amigos'. For a group of all female friends, say 'mis amigas'.