Inklingo

How to Say "buddies" in Spanish

English → Spanish

amigos

/ah-MEE-gohs//aˈmiɣos/

nounA1informal
Use 'amigos' for a general, all-purpose term for friends or pals, suitable for most informal situations.
A diverse group of three young people laughing and walking together outdoors.

Examples

Mis amigos y yo vamos al cine esta noche.

My friends and I are going to the movies tonight.

Ellos son mis mejores amigos desde la infancia.

They have been my best friends since childhood.

Hice muchos amigos nuevos en mi viaje a Colombia.

I made a lot of new friends on my trip to Colombia.

The Mixed-Group Rule

In Spanish, if a group of friends includes even one male person, you must use the masculine plural form 'amigos'. The word 'amigas' is only for groups of all females.

Forgetting the Mixed-Group Rule

Mistake: “Seeing a group of five women and one man and saying 'mis amigas'.”

Correction: Always use 'mis amigos' for a mixed-gender group. Think of the '-o' ending as the default for groups unless you're 100% sure everyone is female.

camaradas

/kah-mah-RAH-dahs//kamaˈɾaðas/

nounA2informal
Choose 'camaradas' when referring to a close-knit group of male or mixed-gender friends, often with a sense of camaraderie or shared experience.
Two children smiling and holding hands while walking together on a grassy hill, symbolizing close companionship and friendship.

Examples

Mis camaradas de la escuela me ayudaron con el proyecto.

My buddies from school helped me with the project.

¡Hola, camaradas! ¿Qué vamos a hacer esta noche?

Hey, buddies! What are we going to do tonight?

A Noun for Everyone

The singular form, 'camarada', can be used for both men ('el camarada') and women ('la camarada') because the meaning refers to the relationship, not the gender ending.

Amigos vs. Camaradas

Learners often overuse 'camaradas' when 'amigos' would be more appropriate. 'Camaradas' suggests a tighter bond, like teammates or very close pals, while 'amigos' is the safe, general choice for most friendships.

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