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ami
/a.mi/
friend
Mon meilleur ami vient demain.
My best friend is coming tomorrow.
informal
A person whom one knows and trusts; a close acquaintance.
Il est devenu un ami très proche.
He became a very close friend.
Nous sommes amis depuis l'école primaire.
We've been friends since primary school.
Used for both male and female friends in modern French, though 'ami' is masculine and 'amie' is feminine. In formal contexts, 'ami(e)' can also refer to a friendly relationship.
formal
A supporter or advocate (often political or social).
Les amis de la nature luttent pour la protection de l'environnement.
Friends of nature advocate for environmental protection.
Common in names of organizations (e.g., 'Les Amis de la Terre').
Collocations
être ami avec quelqu'unto be friends with someoneun cercle d'amisa circle of friendsse faire des amisto make friends
Antonyms
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Gender Agreement
Remember that 'ami' is masculine and 'amie' is feminine. If referring to a group of mixed-gender friends, use 'amis' (masculine plural) or 'amies et amis' (explicitly inclusive).
Gold Rule
Context Matters
While 'ami' can mean 'friend,' it often implies a deeper, more personal bond than 'copain' (buddy) or 'camarade' (classmate). Use 'ami' for close relationships.
Word Origin
From Old French 'ami', from Latin 'amicus' (friend), derived from 'amare' (to love). Related to Italian 'amico' and Spanish 'amigo'.
Usage Notes
In French, 'ami' is gendered (masculine), while 'amie' is the feminine form. However, in informal speech, 'ami' can sometimes be used generically to refer to a female friend, though this is less common in formal writing. The word carries a warm, personal connotation and is often used in expressions of affection or camaraderie.
Word Breakdown
ami
friend
rootDictionnaire Français-Anglais