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The word "amigo" (masculine) or "amiga" (feminine) means "friend" in Spanish - a person with whom one has a bond of mutual affection, typically exclusive of sexual or family relations. For autodidact students, a friend represents someone chosen for companionship based on shared interests, trust, and emotional connection rather than obligation or blood relation.
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FAQ: What does "amigo" mean in Spanish? "Amigo" is the Spanish word for "friend" (masculine form). The feminine form is "amiga". It refers to a person with whom you share mutual affection and trust. The word comes from Latin "amicus" and is one of the most fundamental relationship words in Spanish.
Throughout these 15 examples, you'll see how "amigo/amiga" is used in various contexts - from casual friendships to deep bonds, in different grammatical positions, and with various adjectives that modify its meaning. The word appears with definite and indefinite articles, possessive pronouns, and in both singular and plural forms.
Educational Material: This lesson is designed for English speakers learning Spanish through the Latinum Institute's interlinear method, providing word-by-word glosses to accelerate comprehension.
Key Takeaways: -
"Amigo" is masculine, "amiga" is feminine -
Plural forms are "amigos" (masculine/mixed) and "amigas" (feminine only) -
Often used with possessive pronouns (mi amigo, tu amiga) -
Can be modified by adjectives that must agree in gender and number
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101.1 Mi my mejor best amigo friend vive lives en in Barcelona Barcelona
101.2 La the amiga friend-FEM de of Juan Juan trabaja works aquí here
101.3 Tengo I-have muchos many amigos friends en in la the universidad university
101.4 Un a viejo old amigo friend me me llamó called ayer yesterday
101.5 Sus their amigos friends llegaron arrived tarde late a to la the fiesta party
101.6 Esa that amiga friend-FEM tuya yours es is muy very simpática nice
101.7 Los the amigos friends verdaderos true son are difíciles difficult de to encontrar find
101.8 ¿Conoces do-you-know a to mi my amiga friend-FEM María? Maria
101.9 Nuestro our amigo friend común common nos us presentó introduced
101.10 Varios several amigos friends míos mine estudian study medicina medicine
101.11 El the amigo friend que that te you mencioné I-mentioned viene comes mañana tomorrow
101.12 Mis my amigas friends-FEM y and yo I vamos go al to-the cine cinema
101.13 Ese that amigo friend del of-the trabajo work me me ayudó helped mucho much
101.14 Las the amigas friends-FEM de of la the infancia childhood nunca never se themselves olvidan forget
101.15 Algunos some amigos friends prefieren prefer la the distancia distance
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101.1 Mi mejor amigo vive en Barcelona. My best friend lives in Barcelona.
101.2 La amiga de Juan trabaja aquí. Juan's friend works here.
101.3 Tengo muchos amigos en la universidad. I have many friends at the university.
101.4 Un viejo amigo me llamó ayer. An old friend called me yesterday.
101.5 Sus amigos llegaron tarde a la fiesta. Their friends arrived late to the party.
101.6 Esa amiga tuya es muy simpática. That friend of yours is very nice.
101.7 Los amigos verdaderos son difíciles de encontrar. True friends are difficult to find.
101.8 ¿Conoces a mi amiga María? Do you know my friend Maria?
101.9 Nuestro amigo común nos presentó. Our mutual friend introduced us.
101.10 Varios amigos míos estudian medicina. Several friends of mine study medicine.
101.11 El amigo que te mencioné viene mañana. The friend I mentioned to you is coming tomorrow.
101.12 Mis amigas y yo vamos al cine. My friends and I are going to the cinema.
101.13 Ese amigo del trabajo me ayudó mucho. That friend from work helped me a lot.
101.14 Las amigas de la infancia nunca se olvidan. Childhood friends are never forgotten.
101.15 Algunos amigos prefieren la distancia. Some friends prefer distance.
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101.1 Mi mejor amigo vive en Barcelona.
101.2 La amiga de Juan trabaja aquí.
101.3 Tengo muchos amigos en la universidad.
101.4 Un viejo amigo me llamó ayer.
101.5 Sus amigos llegaron tarde a la fiesta.
101.6 Esa amiga tuya es muy simpática.
101.7 Los amigos verdaderos son difíciles de encontrar.
101.8 ¿Conoces a mi amiga María?
101.9 Nuestro amigo común nos presentó.
101.10 Varios amigos míos estudian medicina.
101.11 El amigo que te mencioné viene mañana.
101.12 Mis amigas y yo vamos al cine.
101.13 Ese amigo del trabajo me ayudó mucho.
101.14 Las amigas de la infancia nunca se olvidan.
101.15 Algunos amigos prefieren la distancia.
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These are the grammar rules for "amigo/amiga":
Gender Agreement: Spanish nouns have grammatical gender. "Amigo" is masculine and "amiga" is feminine. The gender must match the person being referred to: -
Male friend: amigo -
Female friend: amiga
Plural Formation: -
Masculine plural: amigos (add -s) -
Feminine plural: amigas (add -s) -
Mixed group: amigos (masculine plural is used for mixed gender groups)
Article Agreement: Articles must agree in gender and number: -
el amigo (the friend - masculine singular) -
la amiga (the friend - feminine singular) -
los amigos (the friends - masculine plural) -
las amigas (the friends - feminine plural)
Possessive Pronouns: Possessives before the noun don't change for gender of the noun: -
mi amigo/amiga (my friend) -
tu amigo/amiga (your friend) -
su amigo/amiga (his/her/your formal friend) -
nuestro amigo/nuestra amiga (our friend - here it DOES agree) -
vuestro amigo/vuestra amiga (your plural friend - Spain)
Adjective Agreement: Adjectives must agree with the gender and number: -
un buen amigo (a good friend - masculine) -
una buena amiga (a good friend - feminine) -
buenos amigos (good friends - masculine) -
buenas amigas (good friends - feminine)
Personal "a": When "amigo/amiga" is a direct object referring to a specific person, use the personal "a": -
Veo a mi amigo (I see my friend) -
Conocí a una amiga nueva (I met a new friend)
Common Mistakes: -
Forgetting gender agreement with adjectives -
Using wrong possessive form with nuestro/nuestra -
Omitting the personal "a" when amigo is a direct object -
Using "amigo" for female friends
Step-by-Step Construction: -
Determine the gender of the friend -
Choose correct form (amigo/amiga) -
Add appropriate article if needed -
Make adjectives agree in gender and number -
Remember personal "a" for direct objects
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Formality and Friendship: In Spanish-speaking cultures, the word "amigo/amiga" carries significant weight. It's not used as casually as "friend" in English. Acquaintances are often called "conocidos" (acquaintances) while "amigo" is reserved for genuine friendships.
Diminutives and Affection: Spanish speakers often use diminutives to show affection: -
amiguito/amiguita (little friend, often for children) -
amigote (buddy, pal - more casual, masculine) -
amiguete (casual friend, not very close)
Regional Variations: -
Mexico: "cuate" (buddy, pal) -
Argentina: "che" (friend, buddy) -
Colombia: "parcero/parcera" (friend, partner) -
Spain: "colega" (mate, friend) -
Caribbean: "pana" (friend, buddy)
Gender in Groups: When referring to mixed-gender groups, Spanish uses the masculine plural "amigos." This is a grammatical convention, not a social statement. Some speakers now use "amigues" or "amigxs" for gender-neutral reference, though this is not standard.
Common Expressions: -
"amigo del alma" (soul friend - very close friend) -
"amigo de la infancia" (childhood friend) -
"hacerse amigos" (to become friends) -
"amigo íntimo" (close friend) -
"amigo con derechos" (friend with benefits)
False Friends: The English word "amiable" doesn't translate to "amigable" (which means friendly). "Amiable" is better translated as "afable" or "cordial."
Social Context: Latin American and Spanish cultures often have larger friend groups and maintain friendships from childhood through adulthood. The concept of "best friend" (mejor amigo) exists but group friendships are equally valued.
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From "El Principito" (The Little Prince) by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, Spanish translation:
"Si vienes, por ejemplo, a las cuatro de la tarde, desde las tres comenzaré a ser feliz. A medida que se acerque la hora, me sentiré más feliz. A las cuatro me agitaré y me inquietaré; ¡descubriré el precio de la felicidad! Pero si vienes a cualquier hora, nunca sabré a qué hora preparar mi corazón... Los ritos son necesarios. Es lo que hace que un día sea diferente de los otros días, una hora de las otras horas. Si tú vienes a cualquier hora, yo no sabré nunca cuándo debo vestir mi corazón."
Si if vienes you-come por for ejemplo example a at las the cuatro four de of la the tarde afternoon desde from las the tres three comenzaré I-will-begin a to ser be feliz happy A at medida measure que that se itself acerque approaches la the hora hour me myself sentiré I-will-feel más more feliz happy A at las the cuatro four me myself agitaré I-will-agitate y and me myself inquietaré I-will-worry descubriré I-will-discover el the precio price de of la the felicidad happiness Pero but si if vienes you-come a at cualquier any hora hour nunca never sabré I-will-know a at qué what hora hour preparar to-prepare mi my corazón heart
"Si vienes, por ejemplo, a las cuatro de la tarde, desde las tres comenzaré a ser feliz. A medida que se acerque la hora, me sentiré más feliz. A las cuatro me agitaré y me inquietaré; ¡descubriré el precio de la felicidad! Pero si vienes a cualquier hora, nunca sabré a qué hora preparar mi corazón..."
"If you come, for example, at four in the afternoon, from three o'clock I will begin to be happy. As the hour approaches, I will feel happier. At four I will become agitated and anxious; I will discover the price of happiness! But if you come at any hour, I will never know when to prepare my heart..."
"Si vienes, por ejemplo, a las cuatro de la tarde, desde las tres comenzaré a ser feliz. A medida que se acerque la hora, me sentiré más feliz. A las cuatro me agitaré y me inquietaré; ¡descubriré el precio de la felicidad! Pero si vienes a cualquier hora, nunca sabré a qué hora preparar mi corazón... Los ritos son necesarios."
This passage demonstrates the future tense (comenzaré, sentiré, sabré), reflexive verbs (agitarse, inquietarse), and the subjunctive mood (acerque). The word "amigo" isn't explicitly used but the entire passage describes the anticipation of a friend's visit. Key vocabulary includes "felicidad" (happiness), "corazón" (heart), and temporal expressions. The passage illustrates how Spanish uses reflexive pronouns (me) with emotional verbs to express internal states.
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101.16 Oye hey amigo friend ¿qué what tal such el the fin end de of semana? week
101.17 Mi my amiga friend-FEM Laura Laura me me contó told lo it que that pasó happened
101.18 Los the amigos friends del of-the barrio neighborhood organizaron organized un a partido match
101.19 ¿Tu your amigo friend sigue continues trabajando working en in el the banco? bank
101.20 Nuestra our-FEM amiga friend se herself mudó moved a to Madrid Madrid el the mes month pasado past
101.21 Unos some amigos friends quieren want ir to-go de of camping camping este this verano summer
101.22 Mi my mejor best amiga friend-FEM está is embarazada pregnant de of tres three meses months
101.23 Los the viejos old amigos friends siempre always tienen have las the mejores best historias stories
101.24 Tu your amigo friend el the médico doctor podría could ayudarnos help-us
101.25 Estas these amigas friends-FEM mías mine son are un a desastre disaster cocinando cooking
101.26 El the amigo friend de of mi my hermano brother toca plays la the guitarra guitar genial great
101.27 ¿Cuántos how-many amigos friends invitaste you-invited a to tu your cumpleaños? birthday
101.28 Mi my amiga friend-FEM del of-the gimnasio gym corre runs maratones marathons
101.29 Ese that amigo friend tuyo yours siempre always llega arrives sin without avisar warning
101.30 Las the amigas friends-FEM de of mi my madre mother juegan play a to las the cartas cards los the jueves Thursdays
101.16 Oye amigo, ¿qué tal el fin de semana? Hey friend, how was the weekend?
101.17 Mi amiga Laura me contó lo que pasó. My friend Laura told me what happened.
101.18 Los amigos del barrio organizaron un partido. The neighborhood friends organized a match.
101.19 ¿Tu amigo sigue trabajando en el banco? Is your friend still working at the bank?
101.20 Nuestra amiga se mudó a Madrid el mes pasado. Our friend moved to Madrid last month.
101.21 Unos amigos quieren ir de camping este verano. Some friends want to go camping this summer.
101.22 Mi mejor amiga está embarazada de tres meses. My best friend is three months pregnant.
101.23 Los viejos amigos siempre tienen las mejores historias. Old friends always have the best stories.
101.24 Tu amigo el médico podría ayudarnos. Your doctor friend could help us.
101.25 Estas amigas mías son un desastre cocinando. These friends of mine are a disaster at cooking.
101.26 El amigo de mi hermano toca la guitarra genial. My brother's friend plays guitar amazingly.
101.27 ¿Cuántos amigos invitaste a tu cumpleaños? How many friends did you invite to your birthday?
101.28 Mi amiga del gimnasio corre maratones. My friend from the gym runs marathons.
101.29 Ese amigo tuyo siempre llega sin avisar. That friend of yours always arrives without warning.
101.30 Las amigas de mi madre juegan a las cartas los jueves. My mother's friends play cards on Thursdays.
101.16 Oye amigo, ¿qué tal el fin de semana?
101.17 Mi amiga Laura me contó lo que pasó.
101.18 Los amigos del barrio organizaron un partido.
101.19 ¿Tu amigo sigue trabajando en el banco?
101.20 Nuestra amiga se mudó a Madrid el mes pasado.
101.21 Unos amigos quieren ir de camping este verano.
101.22 Mi mejor amiga está embarazada de tres meses.
101.23 Los viejos amigos siempre tienen las mejores historias.
101.24 Tu amigo el médico podría ayudarnos.
101.25 Estas amigas mías son un desastre cocinando.
101.26 El amigo de mi hermano toca la guitarra genial.
101.27 ¿Cuántos amigos invitaste a tu cumpleaños?
101.28 Mi amiga del gimnasio corre maratones.
101.29 Ese amigo tuyo siempre llega sin avisar.
101.30 Las amigas de mi madre juegan a las cartas los jueves.
This conversation section demonstrates colloquial Spanish between friends. Note the use of "oye" (hey) as an attention-getter, common in informal speech. The possessive constructions vary: "amigo tuyo" (friend of yours) vs "tu amigo" (your friend) - both correct but with slightly different emphasis. Questions use inverted punctuation (¿?) which is unique to Spanish. The present progressive "cocinando" (cooking) is used as a gerund. Expressions like "ir de camping" show how English words are borrowed into Spanish with the preposition "de."
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