Inklingo

How to Say "buddy" in Spanish

English → Spanish

amigo

/ah-MEE-go//aˈmiɣo/

nounA1informal
Use 'amigo' for a general, all-purpose term for a friend, similar to 'friend' or 'pal' in English, without a strong sense of endearment or informality.
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.

Examples

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?

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.

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'.

colega

coh-LEH-gah/koˈleɣa/

nounB1informal
Choose 'colega' when referring to a close acquaintance or workmate, often used in a casual, friendly greeting similar to 'mate' or 'pal' in British English.
Two children, a boy and a girl, sitting on a park bench and sharing a snack, depicting close friendship.

Examples

¡Qué pasa, colega! ¿Vamos al cine esta noche?

What's up, mate! Shall we go to the cinema tonight?

Ese es mi colega desde la universidad.

That's been my buddy since university.

amiguito

ah-mee-GEE-toh/amiˈɣito/

nounA1affectionate
Use 'amiguito' as an affectionate or diminutive term for a young male friend, often used when talking about children or in a very endearing context.
A storybook illustration showing a young boy and girl skipping happily together in a sunny park.

Examples

Mi hijo invitó a su amiguito de la escuela a la fiesta.

My son invited his little friend from school to the party.

¡Hola, amiguito! ¿Quieres un helado?

Hello, little buddy! Do you want an ice cream?

Ese perrito es mi amiguito fiel; siempre me sigue.

That little dog is my faithful little friend; it always follows me.

The Diminutive -ito

The ending -ito doesn't always mean 'small.' When added to amigo, it primarily shows affection, warmth, or tenderness, making it a term of endearment.

Using the Wrong Gender

Mistake: “Mi amiguito se llama Ana.”

Correction: If the friend is female, you must use the feminine diminutive: *Mi amiguita se llama Ana*.

Amigo vs. Colega

Learners often confuse 'amigo' and 'colega'. While 'amigo' is a general term for 'friend', 'colega' implies a closer acquaintance, often in a work or social peer context, similar to 'mate' or 'pal'. Don't use 'colega' for a deep friendship; stick to 'amigo' for that.

Related Translations

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