mejores amigos
/mexoɾes amiɡos/from spelling rules
The English phrase "besties" is translated into Spanish as mejores amigos.
To convey closeness and affection, you can add a diminutive suffix to the words for friend, such as amiguito or amiguita.
What does it mean word for word?
The term mejores amigos is a literal combination of mejores (best) and amigos (friends).
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase changes based on gender: use mejor amiga if the best friend is female, and use mejores amigas to refer to a group of female best friends. The form mejores amigos is used for a group of male best friends or a mixed-gender group of best friends.
How do you pronounce it?
/mexoɾes amiɡos/
Did you know?
- In Spain, the phrase ser uña y carne is often used to describe 'besties' because it literally means 'to be fingernail and flesh'.
- In Argentina and Uruguay, you might hear the word boludo used between very close friends. While it is technically a mild insult, among 'besties' it often functions as a term of endearment or a way to get a friend's attention.
- If you want to sound much more informal, particularly in Mexico, you can use the word cuate to refer to a close friend. This term comes from the Nahuatl word for 'twin', implying that your 'bestie' is like a twin to you.
Examples in context
- Tomás y Carlos son amigos íntimos desde la infancia.Tomás and Carlos have been best friends since childhood.
- Marta es mi amiga del alma.Marta is my best friend.
- Manuel y Daniel son amigos inseparables, siempre hacen todo juntos.Manuel and Daniel are inseparable friends, they always do everything together.
- Ellos son mis mejores amigos.They are my besties.
- Juan y yo somos mejores amigos.Juan and I are besties.
Example conversation
María and Alejandro are looking at a photo on a phone.
- María¿Quiénes son ellos en la foto?Who are they in the photo?
- AlejandroSon mis mejores amigos de la escuela.They are my besties from school.
- MaríaSe ven muy divertidos.They look like a lot of fun.
- AlejandroSí, somos mejores amigos hace mucho tiempo.Yes, we've been besties for a long time.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
