amigo
Mi amigo Juan siempre me ayuda con mis problemas.
My friend Juan always helps me with my problems.
A person whom one knows and with whom one has a bond of mutual affection, typically exclusive of sexual or family relations.
Carlos es mi mejor amigo desde la infancia.
Carlos has been my best friend since childhood.
¿Quieres venir con nosotros? Trae a tus amigos.
Do you want to come with us? Bring your friends.
Used for both males and females in informal contexts (e.g., 'amiga' for female friends).
Used as a friendly form of address, especially among males.
Amigo, ¿qué haces aquí tan tarde?
Friend, what are you doing here so late?
Common in Latin American Spanish, often shortened to 'mi' in casual speech (e.g., 'mi amigo' → 'mi' in some dialects).
Collocations
Antonyms
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Gender Agreement
Always use 'amiga' for a female friend in formal or written contexts. In casual speech, 'amigo' can sometimes be used generically, but this is region-dependent.
Gold Rule
Friend vs. Boyfriend/Girlfriend
In Spanish, 'amigo' strictly means 'friend' and does not imply a romantic relationship. For romantic partners, use 'novio' (boyfriend) or 'novia' (girlfriend).
Word Origin
From Latin *amicus* (friend), derived from *amāre* (to love). Related to Italian *amico*, Portuguese *amigo*, and French *ami*.
Usage Notes
The term is gender-specific in formal contexts ('amigo' for male, 'amiga' for female), but 'amigo' can be used generically in informal speech to refer to any friend regardless of gender. In some Latin American countries, 'pana' or 'cuate' are common slang terms for friend.