B1 Collocation Neutre 2 min de lecture

não melhor amigo

best friend

Littéralement: best friend

Use it to designate your #1 person in social circles and show deep emotional appreciation.

En 15 secondes

  • Refers to your absolute closest, most trusted companion.
  • Changes to 'melhor amiga' for females.
  • Used in social, emotional, and casual settings.

Signification

This phrase refers to your closest companion, the person you trust more than anyone else. It describes a deep, platonic bond that goes beyond just being a regular friend.

Exemples clés

3 sur 6
1

Introducing a friend at a party

Este é o Paulo, meu melhor amigo de infância.

This is Paulo, my best friend from childhood.

🤝
2

Writing a birthday card

Feliz aniversário para a minha melhor amiga!

Happy birthday to my best friend!

💭
3

A formal speech at a wedding

O noivo tem sido meu melhor amigo por dez anos.

The groom has been my best friend for ten years.

👔
🌍

Contexte culturel

In Lusophone cultures, the line between friends and family is often blurred. A 'melhor amigo' is frequently invited to family dinners and holiday events as if they were a relative. The term has remained a staple of the language for centuries, emphasizing the high value placed on lifelong loyalty.

💬

The 'Amigo do Peito' Secret

If you really want to sound like a local, use 'amigo do peito'. It sounds much more soulful and traditional than the literal translation.

⚠️

Watch the Gender

Portuguese is gender-coded. Always check if you are talking about a guy (amigo) or a girl (amiga) or you might cause a tiny bit of confusion!

En 15 secondes

  • Refers to your absolute closest, most trusted companion.
  • Changes to 'melhor amiga' for females.
  • Used in social, emotional, and casual settings.

What It Means

Melhor amigo is the person you call at 3 AM. It is your ride-or-die. In Portuguese, this isn't just a label. It is a title of honor. You use it for that one person who knows all your secrets. It implies a level of loyalty that is hard to break.

How To Use It

Use it just like you do in English. You can say ele é meu melhor amigo. If the friend is female, use melhor amiga. It usually follows a possessive like meu or minha. You can also use it as a superlative. For example, Você é o melhor amigo que eu tenho. It fits perfectly in casual conversations and heartfelt letters.

When To Use It

Use it when introducing your closest pal to others. It works great in birthday posts on Instagram. Use it when you want to show extra appreciation. It is perfect for emotional moments. You might also use it when reminiscing about childhood. It feels warm and sincere every time.

When NOT To Use It

Don't use it for someone you just met. That feels a bit clingy or intense. Avoid using it in strictly professional settings unless you are actually close. Don't use it for a romantic partner unless you specify the friendship aspect. In Portuguese culture, calling a stranger amigo is common. But calling a stranger melhor amigo is just confusing.

Cultural Background

Brazilians and Portuguese people value social circles immensely. Friendship often feels like being part of an extended family. The melhor amigo is often treated like a brother or sister. In Brazil, you might hear amigo do peito. This literally means 'friend of the chest' or heart. It shows how deep the connection goes. Loyalty is the currency of these relationships.

Common Variations

  • Melhor amiga (for a female friend)
  • Amigo do peito (a very close, 'heart' friend)
  • BFF (used by younger generations in texts)
  • Meu fechamento (slang in Rio for someone who has your back)
  • Grande amigo (a great friend, slightly less intense)

Notes d'usage

The phrase is highly versatile and carries no negative baggage. Just ensure gender agreement (`amigo` vs `amiga`) to maintain natural flow.

💬

The 'Amigo do Peito' Secret

If you really want to sound like a local, use 'amigo do peito'. It sounds much more soulful and traditional than the literal translation.

⚠️

Watch the Gender

Portuguese is gender-coded. Always check if you are talking about a guy (amigo) or a girl (amiga) or you might cause a tiny bit of confusion!

💡

Pluralizing

Can you have more than one? Yes! Just say 'meus melhores amigos'. It's common in Brazil to have a small group of 'best' friends.

Exemples

6
#1 Introducing a friend at a party
🤝

Este é o Paulo, meu melhor amigo de infância.

This is Paulo, my best friend from childhood.

A standard way to introduce someone special.

#2 Writing a birthday card
💭

Feliz aniversário para a minha melhor amiga!

Happy birthday to my best friend!

Using the feminine form 'amiga'.

#3 A formal speech at a wedding
👔

O noivo tem sido meu melhor amigo por dez anos.

The groom has been my best friend for ten years.

Appropriate for heartfelt public speaking.

#4 Texting after a bad day
😊

Ainda bem que você é meu melhor amigo e me ouve.

I'm glad you're my best friend and listen to me.

Shows the supportive nature of the relationship.

#5 Joking about a dog
😄

O Totó é o meu único melhor amigo agora.

Toto is my only best friend now.

Commonly used for pets, just like in English.

#6 Expressing deep gratitude
💭

Você não é só um colega, é meu melhor amigo.

You aren't just a colleague, you're my best friend.

Distinguishes between casual and deep connections.

Teste-toi

Choose the correct form for a female best friend.

A Maria é a minha ___.

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : melhor amiga

Since Maria is female, the noun 'amiga' must be used.

Complete the sentence to say 'He is my best friend'.

Ele ___ meu melhor amigo.

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : é

We use the verb 'ser' (é) for permanent traits and roles like friendship.

🎉 Score : /2

Aides visuelles

Formality of 'Melhor Amigo'

Informal

Used with slang or nicknames.

Meu fechamento

Neutral

The standard way to say best friend.

Meu melhor amigo

Formal

Used in speeches or ceremonies.

Meu prezado melhor amigo

Where to use 'Melhor Amigo'

Melhor Amigo
📸

Social Media

Captioning a photo together

🤝

Introductions

Meeting new people

📞

Emotional Support

Late night venting

🥂

Celebrations

Toasts and birthdays

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

No, just like in English, it is very common to call a dog o melhor amigo do homem (man's best friend).

Not at all. You can refer to a small group as meus melhores amigos if you are equally close to all of them.

You must change it to minha melhor amiga. The 'o' changes to 'a' to match the gender.

It is neutral. You can use it with your family, in a wedding speech, or in a casual text message.

An amigo is anyone you like, while a melhor amigo is your top-tier, most trusted person.

Yes, younger people and teenagers often use BFF in texting and on social media due to American influence.

It literally means 'friend of the chest'. It is a common idiomatic way to say 'best friend' or 'bosom buddy'.

Sometimes, but usually they say meu marido e meu melhor amigo to clarify the dual role.

In Rio, you might hear meu fechamento. In other places, people might just say meu irmão (my brother).

No, that is grammatically incorrect. Melhor is already the superlative, so you just say o melhor amigo.

Expressions liées

Amigo do peito

Bosom buddy / Close friend

Grande amigo

Great friend

Amigo de infância

Childhood friend

Conhecido

Acquaintance

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