amiga
/aˈmiɡa/
amiga is the Spanish word for female friend.
amiga is used to refer specifically to a female friend. You can add descriptive phrases to express different levels of closeness: querida amiga means dear friend, adding affection and warmth. mi buena amiga means my good friend. And amiga del alma translates to soul friend.
Which one should you use?
While amiga refers specifically to a female friend, the form amigo is used for a male friend or a mixed-gender group of friends. Similarly, when referring to a group consisting only of female friends, you use the plural amigas, but if the group contains at least one male, the masculine plural amigos must be used.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some Latin American countries, particularly Venezuela, the informal term pana is used to mean friend or pal.
How does it change in a sentence?
To indicate a single female friend, use the articles una amiga for 'a female friend' and la amiga for 'the female friend'.
How do you pronounce it?
/aˈmiɡa/
Did you know?
- While amiga is the standard, some Caribbean dialects use the word comadre to refer to a close female friend, even if there is no actual godmother relationship.
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, amiga is used ironically to address a woman the speaker does not actually know or like, mirroring the way 'honey' or 'dear' can be used condescendingly in English.
- The Latin root of amiga, amīca, is also the ancestor of the English word 'amicable'.
Examples in context
- Hola, amiga. ¿Cómo estás?Hi, friend. How are you?
- ¿Qué hubo, pana?Hey, pal. What's up?
- Ella es mi mejor amiga.She is my best friend.
- Tengo una amiga en Madrid.I have a friend in Madrid.
- ¿Es ella tu amiga?Is she your friend?
Example conversation
Alejandro and Lucía are talking at a cafe.
- AlejandroLucía, ¿quién es esa chica?Lucía, who is that girl?
- LucíaEs una amiga de la universidad.She is a friend from university.
- AlejandroAh, entiendo.Ah, I see.
- LucíaSí, es una muy buena amiga.Yes, she is a very good friend.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry amiga, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries amiga, CC BY-SA 4.0.
