How to Say Friend in Spanish is a useful phrase to know whether you’re making new connections, traveling, or just expanding your vocabulary. The most common word is “amigo” for a male friend and “amiga” for a female friend.
Whether you’re in Spain, Mexico, or any other Spanish-speaking country, the word for friend can vary by region and tone. You might hear compa, cuate, or even bro in modern usage. Knowing these different ways to say friend will help you sound more natural and connect with locals on a deeper level.
Say Friend in Spanish
There are 15 phrases to learn how to Say friend in Spanish in easy way with examples.
15 phrases table for How to Say Friend in Spanish
🟢 = Standard | 🔵 = Regional | 🟣 = Slang / Affectionate
| # | Spanish Phrase | English Meaning | Tone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Amigo | Friend (male) | 🟢 Standard |
| 2 | Amiga | Friend (female) | 🟢 Standard |
| 3 | Amig@s / Amigxs | Friends (inclusive) | 🟢 Standard |
| 4 | Colega | Buddy / Mate | 🔵 Regional (Spain) |
| 5 | Compadre | Close friend / Buddy | 🔵 Regional (Mexico & LatAm) |
| 6 | Comadre | Close female friend | 🔵 Regional (Mexico & LatAm) |
| 7 | Cuate | Friend / Pal | 🔵 Regional (Mexico) |
| 8 | Pana | Bro / Friend | 🔵 Regional (Caribbean, Venezuela) |
| 9 | Parcero (Parce) | Dude / Mate | 🔵 Regional (Colombia) |
| 10 | Socio | Partner / Friend | 🟣 Slang (Urban) |
| 11 | Hermano / Hermana | Brother / Sister (used as friend) | 🟣 Affectionate |
| 12 | Broder (Spanglish) | Bro / Friend | 🟣 Slang |
| 13 | Carnal | Bro / Close friend | 🔵 Regional (Mexico slang) |
| 14 | Manito | Little brother / Pal | 🔵 Regional (Central America) |
| 15 | Compinche | Sidekick / Close buddy | 🟣 Playful / Slang |
1. Amigo / Amiga
Origin:
From Latin amicus, meaning “friend” or “ally.” It’s the standard word for friend in Spanish.
Example:
👤 User A: Hola, amigo. ¿Cómo estás?
👤 User B: Todo bien, amiga. ¡Qué gusto verte!
Use:
Universal and formal or casual. Amigo (male) / amiga (female).
2. Compadre / Comadre
Origin:
Originally refers to the godfather/mother of your child, but in Latin America, especially Mexico and Central America, it’s also used for very close friends.
Example:
👤 User A: ¡Compadre! ¡Hace años que no te veía!
👤 User B: ¡Comadre! Ya era hora de juntarnos.
Use:
Used for very close, long-time friends or trusted companions.
3. Cuate
Origin:
Mexican slang, originally from Nahuatl coatl (twin). It now means buddy or pal.
Example:
👤 User A: ¿Vienes al cine, cuate?
👤 User B: Claro que sí. ¡Vamos!
Use:
Informal, very Mexican.
4. Parcero / Parcera
Origin:
Common in Colombia, especially Medellín. Comes from parce, a short form of compañero.
Example:
👤 User A: ¡Ey, parcero! ¿Qué más?
👤 User B: Todo bien, parce. ¿Y tú?
Use:
Casual, Colombian slang for friend.
5. Pana
Origin:
Popular in Venezuela, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic. Possibly derived from hermano (brother).
Example:
👤 User A: Ese es mi pana del alma.
👤 User B: Siempre juntos, bro.
Use:
Very friendly, Caribbean Spanish slang.
6. Tío / Tía (in Spain)
Origin:
Literally means “uncle/aunt,” but in Spain, tío and tía are used like “dude” or “mate.”
Example:
👤 User A: ¡Tío! ¿Qué pasa?
👤 User B: Nada, tía. Aquí, de chill.
Use:
Informal, modern Spanish (mainly in Spain).
7. Colega
Origin:
From Latin collega, meaning colleague. In Spain, it’s commonly used for friends, especially among young people.
Example:
👤 User A: ¿Vienes, colega?
👤 User B: Obvio, ya estoy listo.
Use:
Youth slang in Spain. Casual and modern.
8. Carnal
Origin:
Comes from carne (meat), referring to someone as “flesh of my flesh.” Common in Mexico.
Example:
👤 User A: ¿Todo bien, carnal?
👤 User B: Siempre, hermano.
Use:
Mexican slang for a very close, brother-like friend.
9. Bro / Hermano
Origin:
Borrowed from English (“bro”) and Latin (“hermano” = brother). Used interchangeably in many Latin cultures.
Example:
👤 User A: ¿Qué onda, bro?
👤 User B: Todo tranquilo, hermano.
Use:
Universal slang; popular with younger generations.
10. Mano
Origin:
Short for hermano (brother). Common in Central America and some parts of Mexico.
Example:
👤 User A: Mano, ¿me puedes ayudar?
👤 User B: ¡Claro, para eso estamos!
Use:
Informal and brotherly; shows closeness.
11. Güey / Wey
Origin:
Mexican slang that originally meant “ox,” now commonly used to mean “dude” or “friend.”
Example:
👤 User A: Güey, no vas a creer lo que pasó.
👤 User B: ¡Cuéntame, wey!
Use:
Very informal, youthful slang in Mexico.
12. Socio
Origin:
Literally means “partner” (like in business), but used in some countries like Uruguay and Chile as “friend.”
Example:
👤 User A: ¡Socio! Vamos al partido, ¿no?
👤 User B: Obvio, contá conmigo.
Use:
South American casual slang.
13. Chamo / Chama
Origin:
Venezuelan slang for a young person. Often used to refer to a close friend.
Example:
👤 User A: Chamo, ¿viste la película nueva?
👤 User B: ¡Claro, chama! Estuvo brutal.
Use:
Friendly and casual in Venezuela.
14. Primo / Prima
Origin:
Literally means “cousin,” but in many urban areas, especially in Latin American barrios, it’s used to refer to a close friend.
Example:
👤 User A: Primo, ¿me acompañas?
👤 User B: ¡Siempre, primo!
Use:
Urban street slang in Latin America.
15. Confidente
Origin:
Means someone you confide in. From the same Latin root as confidant.
Example:
👤 User A: Eres más que un amigo, eres mi confidente.
👤 User B: Y siempre lo seré.
Use:
More emotional; implies deep trust, often used in emotional conversations.
FAQs
1. What is the main word for “friend” in Spanish?
The most common word is amigo (for a male friend) and amiga (for a female friend).
2. How do you pronounce “amigo”?
It is pronounced: ah-MEE-go.
3. How do I say “my friend” in Spanish?
Say mi amigo (for a boy/man) or mi amiga (for a girl/woman).
4. How do I say “best friend” in Spanish?
For a male best friend: mejor amigo.
For a female best friend: mejor amiga.
5. Is there a casual or slang word for friend?
Yes, in some regions people say “bro” as compa, parce, or pana.
6. How do I say “friends” in plural form?
Male group or mixed group: amigos
Female group only: amigas
7. Can I call someone “amigo” if we just met?
Yes, it’s friendly and polite in most Spanish-speaking cultures.
8. How do I say “Hey friend!” playfully?
Say: ¡Hola, amigo! or ¡Qué tal, amigo!
9. How do I say “We are friends” in Spanish?
Say: Somos amigos or Somos amigas (all female).
10. How do I say “I need a friend” in Spanish?
Say: Necesito un amigo (male) / Necesito una amiga (female).
Conclusion:
Now that you know how to say friend in Spanish, you’re ready to build connections with warmth and confidence! Whether it’s amigo, amiga, or a regional slang like compa or cuate, using the right term can make your conversations more personal and engaging.
So next time you meet someone new, try out your Spanish — and make a friend along the way! 🇪🇸
