mejor amigo
/mexoɾ amiɡo/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'bff' can be translated into Spanish as mejor amigo.
This phrase is used to describe a person's closest friend. While English speakers often use the abbreviation 'bff', Spanish speakers more commonly use the full phrase mejor amigo in spoken conversation.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of mejor (best) and amigo (friend).
Which one should you use?
You may also encounter Amigo/a de toda la vida, which describes a friend for a lifetime.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase changes based on gender and number. Use mejor amiga if the best friend is female. For a group of best friends, use the plural form mejores amigos, where both the adjective and the noun are pluralized.
How do you pronounce it?
/mexoɾ amiɡo/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, calling someone amigo can sometimes feel slightly more formal or distant than the deep intimacy implied by 'bff' in English.
- The word amigo comes from the Latin verb amō, meaning 'to love', rather than a word for 'friendship'.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, the term mejor amigo is often reserved for a bond that is nearly familial, sometimes bordering on the loyalty expected of a sibling.
Examples in context
- Te presento a mi mejor amiga, Lucía.Let me introduce you to my best friend, Lucía.
- María es mi amiga íntima desde la infancia.María has been my intimate friend since childhood.
- Ana es mi amiga de toda la vida.Ana is my lifelong friend.
Example conversation
Mateo and Elena are talking about their childhood connections.
- Mateo¿Conoces a Luis?Do you know Luis?
- ElenaSí, él es mi mejor amigo.Yes, he is my best friend.
- Mateo¡Qué bueno que sean tan unidos!It is great that you two are so close!
- ElenaSí, siempre nos ayudamos.Yes, we always help each other.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries amigo, mejor, CC BY-SA 4.0.
