"Quien tiene un amigo tiene un tesoro" (He who has a friend has a treasure) – this popular Spanish saying perfectly captures how friendship is valued across the Spanish-speaking world. While amigo is the most universally recognized word for "friend" in Spanish, the richness of this language offers a colorful variety of terms that reflect unique cultural identities and relationship dynamics.
In this lesson, we'll explore 16 different ways to say "friend" in Spanish, from standard terms used across countries to regional expressions that will help you sound like a local. Understanding these friendship terms won't just improve your vocabulary – it will give you insight into the cultural nuances of different Spanish-speaking communities.
Amigo (male friend) and amiga (female friend) are the most basic and widely recognized terms for "friend" in Spanish. These words are understood everywhere Spanish is spoken and appear in textbooks worldwide.
¡Basta, y no le hables así a mi amigo Sam!
Stop it, and don't talk like that to my friend Sam!
Caption 40, Extr@: Extra en español Ep. 4: Sam busca un trabajo - Part 6
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In plural form, you'd use amigos for a group of male friends or a mixed-gender group, while amigas refers exclusively to female friends. It's a completely neutral term that can describe any level of friendship, from an acquaintance you occasionally chat with to your closest confidant.
One important cultural note: In many Spanish-speaking countries, people may call you amigo or amiga even when they've just met you. Waiters, taxi drivers, or shop attendants might use these terms as a friendly gesture, not because they consider you an actual friend.
While hermano literally means "brother" and hermana means "sister," these terms are widely used across Spanish-speaking countries to refer to very close friends who aren't blood relatives. Using hermano or hermana to address a friend emphasizes the family-like bond you share with them. Many Spanish speakers will shorten these to mano or use the diminutive forms hermanito/hermanita to add affection.
Hermanito, ¿yo qué hago? Yo me considero su mejor amigo,
Brother, what can I do? I consider myself his best friend,
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Traditionally, compadre and comadre refer to a child's godparents or the relationship between parents and godparents. However, these terms have evolved to describe trusted friends, especially in Mexico and other Latin American countries. Calling someone your compadre implies a relationship built on mutual respect and trust. It's often used among men of similar age and social standing. The shortened form compa is also very common, particularly in Mexico.
¡Órale compadre, échese un trago!
Come on, pal, throw down a drink!
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The word compañero/a literally means "companion" and is often used in contexts where people share activities, spaces, or goals. This term is particularly common in educational and professional settings. The affectionate shortened form compi is frequently used in Spain to refer to classmates or coworkers with whom you have a friendly relationship.
Mexico has several unique and colorful terms for friends. One of the most distinctive is cuate, which comes from the Nahuatl language, where coatl originally meant "twin" or "snake." In modern Mexican Spanish, calling someone your cuate implies a close friendship, often between men. You might hear expressions like Ese es mi cuate (That's my buddy) or Voy con mis cuates (I'm going with my friends).
Sí iba con mi cuate, con mi patineta.
I was with my buddy, with my skateboard.
Caption 29, Amigos D.F. El secuestrar
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Carnal (derived from carne, meaning "flesh") is another popular Mexican term that equates friendship with family bonds. It's similar to calling someone your "blood brother" in English. This term is predominantly used among men and suggests a deep, loyal friendship that goes beyond ordinary companionship. When someone says Es mi carnal, they're indicating a friend they consider as close as a sibling.
O sea normalmente a los hermanos se les dicen "carnales". Pero yo, pues ahora sí que a mis amigotes, yo les digo "carnales"... -Sí. -porque vienen siendo,
I mean, normally, we call siblings "carnales." But I, well, now, my friends, I do, I call them "carnales"... -Yes, because they are,
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Güey (sometimes spelled wey) is incredibly versatile in Mexican Spanish. While it can be used as an insult in some contexts, among friends it's a casual way to address each other, similar to "dude" or "man" in English. This term has become such a fundamental part of Mexican Spanish that it's often used as a filler word in casual conversation, much like "like" or "you know" in English.
Esa es una forma también de decirle "¿qué onda, güey?" o algo así.
That's also a way of saying, "what's up, dude?" or something of the sort.
Caption 18, La Banda Chilanguense El habla de México - Part 2
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In Colombia, particularly in Medellín and surrounding regions, parcero (male) or parcera (female) are common terms for friends. These are often shortened to parce in casual conversation. This distinctly Colombian expression became internationally known through music, movies, and TV shows from the region. Saying ¿Qué más, parce? is a typical Colombian greeting between friends.
Parce, venga, yo le digo una cosa, hermano, vea
Friend, come, I'll tell you something, brother, look
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Another uniquely Colombian expression is llave (literally "key"), implying that a friend has the key to your trust. This term is especially common in Bogotá and other regions of Colombia. When someone calls you their llave, they're indicating a high level of trust and confidence in your friendship.
Ay, llave, ese man nos va a dar en la jeta.
Oh, pal, that guy is going to punch us in the face.
Caption 1, Confidencial: Broma pesada Capítulo 5 - Part 2
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Peru has its own distinctive friendship vocabulary. Pata (literally "leg" or "paw") is a widely used colloquial term for a friend. You might hear expressions like Es mi pata del colegio (He's my friend from school) or Mis patas vienen a la fiesta (My friends are coming to the party).
Another uniquely Peruvian term is causa, which can be made more affectionate as causita with the diminutive. These terms are especially common among male friends. The origin of this slang term is debated, but it's one of the most distinctive features of Peruvian Spanish.
In Venezuela, pana is one of the most popular words for friend. It's used for both male and female friends without changing form. The term carries a sense of closeness and trust, and you'll hear it frequently in casual conversation throughout Venezuela and neighboring countries.
¡Muévete, pana, que mientras más rápido hagamos esto vamos a tener más tiempo con las nenas!
Move, friend, as the faster we do this we are going to have more time with the girls!
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Venezuelans also use chamo (male) or chama (female) to refer to friends, especially among younger people. These terms can also mean "kid" or "young person" but are often used between friends of any age. These expressions have become emblematic of Venezuelan Spanish and are immediately recognizable as part of the country's linguistic identity.
En Venezuela, se saluda: "¡Épale, chama!"
In Venezuela, people greet each other saying: "Hey, girl!"
Caption 13, Español en las calles Varias expresiones
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Spain has its own distinctive friendship vocabulary. Tío (uncle) and tía (aunt) are perhaps the most widely used casual terms among friends in Spain, equivalent to "dude" or "man" in English. Colega (colleague) has evolved in Spain from its formal meaning to become an everyday term for "buddy" or "mate." Tronco/tronca (literally "trunk") is another distinctly Spanish term, especially popular in Madrid and central Spain.
¡Eh, tío! ¡Qué divertido!
Hey, man! How fun!
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In Chile, weón (sometimes spelled huevón or hueón) is an extremely common term used between friends. While it can be offensive in certain contexts, between friends it's a sign of closeness and trust. Be careful with this term, as it requires understanding the proper context and pronunciation. Used incorrectly, it could be perceived as an insult rather than a term of endearment.
In Cuba, asere or acere (with origins in African languages brought to the island) is a friendly and warm way to address a close friend. This distinctly Cuban expression is one of the first slang terms visitors to the island will hear, and it carries a sense of camaraderie and cultural identity.
Understanding the different words for "friend" in Spanish gives you insight into the rich cultural variations in how relationships are perceived and expressed across the Spanish-speaking world. While the basic concept of friendship is universal, the language used to describe it reflects unique cultural perspectives and values.
The next time you're speaking with Spanish-speaking friends, try incorporating some of these regional terms into your conversation. Not only will you impress them with your cultural knowledge, but you'll also create a more authentic connection through language. What about you? Do you know any other words to refer to friends in Spanish? Which one is your favorite? Let us know and don't forget to send us your comments and questions.
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