ambos
/ˈambos/
In Spanish, both is translated as ambos. It is also spelled entrambos. Wiktionary also lists los dos and uno y otro.
Meaning: each of two, one and the other (det)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ambos | /ˈambos/ | |
| los dos | /los dos/ (from spelling rules) | |
| entrambos | /enˈtɾambos/ | alternative form |
| uno y otro | /uno i otɾo/ (from spelling rules) | |
| ambos a dos | /ambos a dos/ (from spelling rules) |
The term refers to each of two or one and the other. Depending on its position in a sentence, ambos can function as a determiner, an adjective or a pronoun. To express the conjunction 'both… and…' (connecting two parts of a sentence), use the phrase tanto… como… or y… por igual instead of using ambos.
Which one should you use?
While ambos and los dos both mean 'both', ambos is often used as an adjective or pronoun in more formal or literary contexts. In contrast, los dos is the most common way to say 'both' in everyday spoken Spanish.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The word ambos must agree in gender with the noun it modifies, changing to ambas when referring to two feminine objects.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈambos/
Did you know?
- The Spanish word for 'both', ambos, is a cognate of the English word 'ambi-', as seen in 'ambidextrous'.
- The word ambos is a linguistic survivor from Old Leonese that eventually replaced the original Spanish form amos.
- While ambos must agree in gender, the common phrase los dos is so frequent that it is sometimes used colloquially as a default for any pair, though this is grammatically incorrect in formal writing.
Examples in context
- Los maté a ambos.I killed them both.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use ambos as a pronoun.Tatoeba #4489850 by cueyayotl, translation #2374700 by CK
- Me gustan los dos.I like both.This sentence shows how to use los dos to mean 'both'.Tatoeba #1249546 by Shishir, translation #255228 by CK
- Los dos se rieron.They both laughed.This sentence demonstrates the use of los dos.Tatoeba #1868660 by Shishir, translation #1866433 by Spamster
- Ambos libros son interesantesBoth books are interesting
- Ambas hermanas son inteligentesBoth sisters are intelligent
- Los dos equipos son fuertesBoth teams are strong
- Ambos están cansadosBoth of them are tired
- Vamos los dos al cineWe're both going to the movies
- 335 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
María and Alejandro are talking about two movies they watched.
- MaríaMe gustaron ambos filmes.I liked both movies.
- AlejandroA mí también me gustaron.I liked them too.
- María¿Cuál fue tu favorito, Alejandro?Which one was your favorite, Alejandro?
- AlejandroEs difícil elegir porque ambos son buenos.It's hard to choose because both are good.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “both” translations and entries ambos, entrambos, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ambos, dos, los, otro, uno, y, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
