querido amigo
/keɾido amiɡo/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'dear friend' is translated into Spanish as querido amigo.
The phrase is a term of affection used to address or describe a close and loved friend. You may also use the expression amigo/a mío/a to mean 'my friend', which conveys intimacy and affection in informal settings.
Which one should you use?
The phrase querido/a amigo/a is commonly used in informal settings to convey camaraderie and closeness. In contrast, Estimado amigo/a is a common and straightforward way to say 'dear friend' in a formal context.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, you may come across the phrase Estimado/a amigo/a instead of Estimado amigo/a in formal correspondence.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase must change to the feminine form querida amiga if the friend being addressed is female. The plural form queridos amigos is used when addressing a group of friends that is either all male or a mix of males and females. The plural form queridas amigas is used when addressing a group consisting only of female friends.
How do you pronounce it?
/keɾido amiɡo/
Did you know?
- The word querido comes from the verb querer, which in Spanish means both 'to want' and 'to love'.
- While querido amigo is warm, using mi amigo in certain Latin American contexts can actually sound distant or slightly formal compared to the more intimate amigo mío.
- The word amigo is a linguistic cousin to the English word 'amicable', which describes a friendly or peaceable disposition.
Examples in context
- ¡Hola, querido amigo!Hello, dear friend!
- Él es mi querido amigo.He is my dear friend.
- Hola, querido amigo, ¿cómo estás?Hello, dear friend, how are you?
- Eres un querido amigo para mí.You are a dear friend to me.
Example conversation
Two old friends meet at a cafe.
- María¡Hola, querido amigo! Qué alegría verte.Hello, dear friend! It is a joy to see you.
- MateoIgualmente, María. Ha pasado mucho tiempo.Likewise, María. It has been a long time.
- MaríaSí, pero siempre serás mi querido amigo.Yes, but you will always be my dear friend.
- MateoGracias, María. Yo también te aprecio mucho.Thank you, María. I appreciate you very much too.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
