Portuguese · People & Family
"Best friend" in Portuguese: melhor amigo / melhor amiga
o melhor amigo / a melhor amiga
Best friend in Portuguese is o melhor amigo for a male friend and a melhor amiga for a female friend. Melhor stays the same for both genders.
Introducing someone
Esse é o Pedro, meu melhor amigo.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce melhor amigo / melhor amiga
Say it
mel-YOR ah-MEE-goo / mel-YOR ah-MEE-gah
/me.ˈʎoʁ a.ˈmi.ɡu/, /me.ˈʎoʁ a.ˈmi.ɡa/
mel-YOR ah-MEE-goo / mel-YOR ah-MEE-gah. Stress on mel-YOR and MEE.
"Best friend" in Portuguese: quick reference
| Portuguese | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| o melhor amigo | best friend (male) Closest male friend. | Closest male friend. |
| a melhor amiga | best friend (female) Closest female friend. | Closest female friend. |
| amigo do peito | dear friend, bosom buddy Warm Brazilian idiom for a very close friend. | Warm Brazilian idiom for a very close friend. |
| melhor amigo de infância | childhood best friend Someone from school years. | Someone from school years. |
How to use melhor amigo / melhor amiga in real life
- 1Introducing someone
Esse é o Pedro, meu melhor amigo.
This is Pedro, my best friend.
Meu melhor amigo for a man.
- 2Texting plans
Vou jantar com a minha melhor amiga hoje.
I'm having dinner with my best friend today.
Minha melhor amiga for a woman.
- 3Looking back
Somos melhores amigos desde os doze anos.
We've been best friends since we were twelve.
Plural melhores amigos for a mixed or male pair.
Mistakes English speakers make with melhor amigo / melhor amiga
Incorrect: Ela é meu melhor amigo.
Correct: Ela é minha melhor amiga.
Match gender: melhor amiga and minha for a woman.
Incorrect: Ele é meu best friend.
Correct: Ele é meu melhor amigo.
Use the Portuguese phrase, not English best friend.
Good to know
Brazilians often call many people amigo quickly, so melhor amigo or melhor amiga marks a truly close bond. Amigo do peito is an affectionate upgrade you will hear in warm, informal talk.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Choosing a wedding plus-one
ChatPal
Quem vai com você? Seu melhor amigo?
Who's going with you? Your best friend?
You
Sim, o Lucas é meu melhor amigo.
Yes, Lucas is my best friend.
ChatPal
Que bom. A Ana também leva a melhor amiga.
Nice. Ana is also bringing her best friend.
You
Perfeito. Melhores amigos juntos no casamento!
Perfect. Best friends together at the wedding!
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Best friend" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Best friend" in Portuguese
Does melhor change for gender?
No. Melhor stays the same; only amigo/amiga changes.
How do I say best friends (plural)?
Melhores amigos, or melhores amigas for women only.
Is amigo do peito the same?
It is a warm idiom for a very close friend, similar in feeling.
Can I say bestie in Portuguese?
People sometimes borrow bestie in slang, but melhor amigo/amiga is the clear everyday phrase.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
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- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
