amigo por correspondencia
/aˌmiɡo poɾ koresponˈdenθja/masculine
The English phrase 'pen pal' is translated into Spanish as amigo por correspondencia.
This term is used to describe a friend with whom one communicates using letters.
Meaning: friend with whom one communicates using letters (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase amigo por correspondencia literally translates to 'friend by correspondence' rather than using the word for 'pen'.
Which one should you use?
While the English term uses a metaphor for writing (pen), the Spanish term focuses on the method of communication (correspondence).
How does it change in a sentence?
To refer to a female pen pal, change the noun from amigo to amiga, resulting in amiga por correspondencia. To make the phrase plural, change amigo to amigos, resulting in amigos por correspondencia.
How do you pronounce it?
/aˌmiɡo poɾ koresponˈdenθja/
Did you know?
- The word amigo comes from the Latin amīcus which is derived from amō meaning 'to love'. This links the concept of friendship directly to the root of love in Spanish.
- Spanish has a specific word, sobre, for 'envelope' which is also the preposition for 'about' or 'on'. This means a letter to an amigo por correspondencia is physically kept in a sobre.
- Writing letters to an amigo por correspondencia is often described as intercambio which means 'exchange' and is also the word used for currency exchange at a bank.
Examples in context
- Tengo un amigo por correspondencia en Japón.I have a pen pal in Japan.
- Escribo una carta a mi amigo por correspondencia.I am writing a letter to my pen pal.
- Él es mi mejor amigo por correspondencia.He is my best pen pal.
Example conversation
Alejandro and María are talking about their hobbies at a cafe.
- Alejandro¿Tienes un amigo por correspondencia?Do you have a pen pal?
- MaríaSí, tengo un amigo por correspondencia de Alemania.Yes, I have a pen pal from Germany.
- Alejandro¡Qué bien! ¿Te gusta escribirle?That's great! Do you like writing to him?
- MaríaSí, me encanta hablar con mi amigo.Yes, I love talking with my friend.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pen pal” translations and entries amigo por correspondencia, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries amigo, por, CC BY-SA 4.0.
