Buddy vs. mate: what’s the difference?
The short answer
Buddy is more commonly used in American English, while mate is often used in British and Australian English.
What they have in common
Both buddy and mate are informal terms used to refer to a friend or companion.
Examples
buddy
- Hey buddy, want to grab a coffee?
- He’s a good buddy of mine from college.
mate
- Do you fancy a pint, mate?
- He’s been my best mate since we were kids.
Which one is more common?
Spotted a mistake in this article? Tell us