ánimo
/AH-nee-mo/
Cheer up!
¡Ánimo! is used as an interjection to tell someone to 'Cheer up!'
ánimo(interjection)
Cheer up!
?Used to encourage someone who is sad or struggling
,Come on!
?Used to motivate someone to continue or start an activity
You got this!
?Informal encouragement
,Keep going!
?When encouraging perseverance
📝 In Action
Perdí el partido. — ¡Ánimo! La próxima vez ganas.
A1I lost the game. — Cheer up! You'll win next time.
Tienes que estudiar para el examen. ¡Ánimo!
A2You have to study for the exam. Come on!
💡 Grammar Points
A Command in One Word
When used as an interjection, '¡Ánimo!' acts like a command or a wish for someone to feel better or keep trying. It's a quick, positive way to respond to bad news.
⭐ Usage Tips
Use with Friends
This is a very warm and friendly way to encourage someone, perfect for casual conversations with friends, family, or teammates.
Ánimo can also be a noun meaning 'spirit' or mental state.
ánimo(noun)
spirit
?Mental or emotional state
,mood
?General feeling or disposition
courage
?Brave spirit
,energy
?Mental drive or motivation
📝 In Action
No tengo mucho ánimo para ir a trabajar hoy.
A2I don't have much energy/spirit to go to work today.
El doctor le dio ánimos para su recuperación.
B1The doctor gave him encouragement for his recovery.
A pesar de todo, mantuvo el ánimo alto.
B2Despite everything, he kept his spirits high.
💡 Grammar Points
Always Masculine
As a noun meaning 'mood' or 'spirit,' ánimo is always a masculine noun: 'el ánimo'. It is rarely used in the plural unless referring to specific acts of encouragement (los ánimos).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing Gender
Mistake: "La ánimo es buena."
Correction: El ánimo es bueno. (Always use the masculine article 'el'.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Using Plural for Encouragement
When you talk about giving someone encouragement, it is very common to use the plural form: 'Le di muchos ánimos.' (I gave him a lot of encouragement.)
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: ánimo
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'ánimo' as a quick exclamation to motivate someone?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'ánimo' and 'animo'?
The accent mark is very important! 'Ánimo' (accented on the first syllable) is the noun meaning 'spirit' or the interjection 'Cheer up!'. 'Animo' (unaccented) is the verb form 'I encourage' or 'I animate' (the 'yo' form of the verb 'animar').
Can I use 'ánimo' in the plural?
Yes, but usually only when referring to acts of encouragement or cheering. For instance, 'Recibió muchos ánimos de sus amigos' (He received a lot of encouragement from his friends). When talking about a general state of mind, we usually use the singular: 'Su ánimo es bueno' (His mood is good).