no tengo amigos
/no tenɡo amiɡos/from spelling rules
The English phrase "I have no friends" is translated into Spanish as no tengo amigos.
This phrase is used to express that a person does not have any companions or close social relationships.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is built from no (not), tengo (I have) and amigos (friends).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, it is common to use the regional expression No tengo cuates to say you have no friends.
How does it change in a sentence?
If the speaker is referring exclusively to female friends, the masculine amigos changes to the feminine amigas to say no tengo amigas. To emphasize the total absence of even a single friend, you can use the singular form no tengo ningún amigo.
How do you pronounce it?
/no tenɡo amiɡos/
Did you know?
- In Mexico, the term cuates is used instead of amigos to describe close friends. It comes from the Nahuatl word for 'twin', suggesting a bond of equality and deep similarity.
- In the Caribbean, the word pana is frequently used for a close friend. It is believed to be derived from the English word 'partner'.
- Spanish uses the word compadre for a specific type of friend who has become a co-parent through baptism. This creates a familial bond that is legally and socially stronger than a standard amigo.
Examples in context
- No tengo amigos.I have no friends.This example shows a basic statement of the phrase using no tengo amigos.Tatoeba #1240392 by Shishir, translation #478568 by BlueLagoon
- No tengo amigos con los que pueda conversar de cosas así.I have no friends to whom I could speak about such matters.This sentence uses no tengo amigos to specify a lack of friends to talk to about certain matters.Tatoeba #1545086 by marcelostockle, translation #457801 by sacredceltic
- Juan se siente solo porque no tiene amigos.Juan feels lonely because he has no friends.
- En esta nueva ciudad, no tengo camaradas a quienes acudir.In this new city, I have no friends to turn to.
- A veces me siento solo porque no tengo amigos.Sometimes I feel lonely because I have no friends.
Example conversation
Two students are talking during their lunch break.
- LucíaLucía, ¿quieres venir al cine con nosotros?Lucía, do you want to come to the movies with us?
- DanielNo puedo, no tengo amigos en esta ciudad.I can't, I have no friends in this city.
- LucíaPero nosotros queremos ser tus amigos, Daniel.But we want to be your friends, Daniel.
- DanielMuchas gracias, me gustaría mucho ir.Thank you very much, I would really like to go.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
