amigos y amigas?

Question

There is the rule that we use the male gender noun when referring to a group made up of male and female members. However, I seem to hear "amigos y amigas" used very often. Is that an exception to the rule or would it be correct to also call the group "amigos" only?

Answer 1

A group of boy friends and girlfriends can be refered as "amigos y amigas" or "amigos". "Amigos"= "boyfriends" (in term of "amigos y amigas")

OK, so the rule still applies. Thanks, Fidalgo! - Rikko, MAY 23, 2010

Answer 2

Rikko, in Spanish this is only used to be "politically correct".

This is against any kind of rule in Spanish and the correct form is: amigos.

Gracias, Heidita. I hear it often that's why I thought maybe it's an exception. I really appreciate the clarification. - Rikko, MAY 23, 2010

Answer 3

Hi Rikko.

I think the speaker is just trying to be polite when he says "Amigos and Amigas..." just like when they say "Damas y Caballeros..."

Because you're right, there is a rule that if there is one male in any group we use the masculine nouns.

Thank you, Marianne. Now I understand it better. - Rikko, MAY 23, 2010

Answer 4

You can call a group of friends as 'Amigos'.

Thanks, Vaanathis! - Rikko, MAY 23, 2010