Calling all Brits

When you use "mate", what degree of friendship are you implying? Is it casual, good friends, both? Thanks!

casual, not necessarily friends.....

it means both, a friend is a mate,also you can say to someone do that for me mate
and it can be used aggressively,as in i dont know what your implying MATE
where are you from the english language can have many meanings.

Mate = Friend

For me, the word is used in reference to male friends. And I wouldn't use it for an acquaintance, but somenoe who I actually consider to be a genuine friend. But it can be said in many different contexts as firebabe said.

Personally I'd only use it for people I consider friends, not just people I know.

Personally I'd use it in all the above ways BUT - never meaning that I found someone attractive. It's uber-casual (can be the beginning of an insulting sentence, especially in London-speak, as above) but would never, in my experience (I'm 47) mean anything akin to soulmate.

Clearer now? 😉