Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA |
|---|---|
| querido | /keˈɾi.du/ (Brazil) /kiˈɾi.du/ (Brazil) |
| caro | /ˈka.ɾu/ (Brazil) /ˈka.ɾu/ (Portugal) |
Portuguese uses different words for 'dear' depending on whether you are expressing emotional affection or maintaining a formal distance. Querido is used to express love or fondness, similar to 'darling' or 'sweetie' in English. Caro is used in more formal settings, such as addressing a friend or writing a letter.
What does it mean word for word?
The word querido is the past participle of the verb querer (to want or to love), so it literally means 'one who is loved' or 'one who is wanted'.
Which one should you use?
Querido is used for emotional affection and intimacy. In contrast, caro is more formal and is also the standard word used to mean 'expensive'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For informal, intimate or affectionate contexts with friends and family, use querido. You can also use the intensified form queridíssimo to show even greater fondness. For formal situations or correspondence, use caro. Other formal written options include prezado/a for business or professional contexts and estimado/a to convey esteem and courtesy.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective must agree in gender with the person you are addressing. For a female, use querida. If you are addressing a group of men or a mixed-gender group, use the masculine plural form queridos.
How do you pronounce it?
querido is pronounced /keˈɾi.du/. It has three syllables, with the stress on the second syllable.
Did you know?
- In Brazil, querido is sometimes used with a subtle touch of irony or condescension in arguments, similar to how 'dear' can be used dismissively in English.
- In Portuguese, the word caro shares a common ancestor with the Latin word for 'beloved', linking the concept of 'precious' to 'expensive'.
- While 'dear' in English is often used for both affection and formality, using caro to address a close friend in Portuguese can sound strangely transactional, as if you are calling them 'expensive'.
Examples in context
- Boa noite, caro amigo!Good night, dear friend!This example shows how to use caro to address a friend.Tatoeba #7082931 by alexmarcelo, translation #1742315 by belgavox
- Qual o problema, querido?What's the matter, dear?This example demonstrates using querido as an affectionate term of address.Tatoeba #3802098 by Laudemilson, translation #5851944 by CK
- Você disse algo, querido?Did you say something, dear?This example shows how querido is used in an affectionate question.Tatoeba #7082941 by alexmarcelo, translation #6298038 by Hybrid
- 30 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas and Juliana are talking in their living room.
- LucasOnde está o meu querido gato?Where is my dear cat?
- JulianaEle está dormindo no sofá, querido.He is sleeping on the sofa, dear.
- LucasEle é um animal muito querido.He is a very lovable animal.
- JulianaSim, ele é uma fofura.Yes, he is a cutie.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “dear” translations and entries querido, caro, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries caro, querido, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
