ambdós

Ambdós is a Catalan word meaning "both." It functions primarily as a determiner before a masculine plural noun, and in its feminine form ambdues before a feminine plural noun. The masculine form ambdós and the feminine form ambdues are the standard plurals, used to refer to two people or things together. There is no singular form in common use for this meaning.

Etymology and orthography: ambdós is formed from amb (with) + dos (two). The word carries a diaeresis over the o in ambdós in standard Catalan orthography to indicate the two-syllable pronunciation. In feminine contexts, the form changes to ambdues, aligning with the feminine plural of two.

Usage: Ambdós is typically placed before the noun it modifies, e.g., ambdós llibres, ambdós estudiants, ambdues noies. It can also serve as a pronoun referring to two previously mentioned people or things, as in Són ambdós. In many contexts, speakers may also use tots dos as a closely related expression meaning “both,” with a similar meaning and slightly different emphasis or formality.

Regional variations: Ambdós and ambdues are standard across Catalan-speaking regions, including Catalonia, the Balearic Islands, and the Valencian Community. In everyday speech, some speakers may prefer the two-word expression tots dos, especially in informal styles or to avoid diacritics.

See also: tots dos; ambdues noies; ambdós llibres.

This entry describes ambdós as a common Catalan determiner and pronoun for indicating two items considered together, with gendered plural forms and standard orthographic marks.