ambos
/ˈambos/
The English phrase "both of them" is translated into Spanish as ambos.
ambos is used to refer to two people or things together. While it can function as an adjective meaning "both," it is frequently used as a pronoun to mean "both of them" within a sentence.
Which one should you use?
While ambos is a standard way to express the concept, a very common alternative is to use the number two with a definite article. You can use los dos to mean "both of them" or "the two of them" when referring to masculine or mixed-gender groups, and las dos when referring to feminine groups.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word must agree in gender with the people or things it refers to. Change it to the feminine form ambas if the two people or things being referred to are feminine.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈambos/
Did you know?
- The word ambos is a cognate of the English word 'ambidextrous', as both stem from the Latin word for 'both'.
- The word ambos is a survivor of a linguistic tug-of-war between Old Spanish and Old Leonese, eventually winning out over the original form amos.
- While ambos is common in writing, speakers in many Spanish-speaking countries prefer los dos or las dos in casual conversation.
Examples in context
- Ambos son muy lindos.Both of them are very cute.This example shows how to use ambos to describe people.Tatoeba #950591 by hayastan, translation #305940 by CK
- Me gustan mucho ambos.I like both of them very much.This example demonstrates using ambos to express a preference for two things or people.Tatoeba #1411003 by marcelostockle, translation #254722 by CK
- Ambos se veían sospechosos.Both of them seem suspicious.This example shows ambos used to describe how two people appeared.Tatoeba #1567730 by marcelostockle, translation #1556020 by Spamster
- Los dos libros son interesantes, pero ambos me atrajeron más.(Both of the books are interesting, but both of them attracted me more.)
- Vamos a invitar a Ana y Carlos a la fiesta. Me gustaría que los dos asistan.(Let's invite Ana and Carlos to the party. I would like both of them to attend.)
- ¡Los pastelitos son deliciosos! ¿Has probado ambos?(The pastries are delicious! Have you tried both of them?)
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and Lucía are looking at two books in a shop.
- Javier¿Te gustan estos dos libros?Do you like these two books?
- LucíaSí, me gustan ambos.Yes, I like both of them.
- Javier¿Quieres comprar ambos?Do you want to buy both of them?
- LucíaNo, solo compraré uno.No, I will only buy one.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ambos, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ambos, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
