What does it mean word for word?
The word queridos is the plural masculine form of the adjective querido, which literally means beloved or loved in this context.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form of the phrase changes based on the gender and number of the parents being addressed. If you are addressing only one parent, the phrase becomes singular: querido padre for a father or querida madre for a mother. If the audience consists only of mothers, the masculine plural queridos padres changes to the feminine plural queridas madres. To be more explicit about addressing both parents, you can use queridos padres y madres. Using papás instead of padres in the phrase queridos papás makes the greeting more affectionate and informal, similar to saying "dear mom and dad".
How do you pronounce it?
/keɾidos padɾes/
Did you know?
- If you want to sound truly intimate in a handwritten letter, you might replace queridos padres with mis queridos viejos, a common colloquialism in certain Latin American countries to refer to one's parents.
- In Mexico, the word padre is used as a slang adjective meaning 'cool' or 'great'. While you would not use it this way in the greeting queridos padres, hearing someone say está muy padre refers to an object or situation, not a parent.
- The word padre can also refer to a Catholic priest. In a religious context, a letter starting with querido padre would be addressed to a priest rather than a biological father.
Examples in context
- Estimados Padres, les escribo para informarles sobre el próximo evento escolar.Dear Parents, I am writing to inform you about the upcoming school event.
- Queridos Padres, ¡los quiero invitar a una cena especial en nuestro hogar este sábado!Dear Parents, I want to invite you to a special dinner at our home this Saturday!
- Queridos Papás, espero que estén pasando unas merecidas vacaciones juntos. Los extraño mucho.Dear Mom and Dad, I hope you are having a well-deserved vacation together. I miss you a lot.
- Queridos padres, os escribo con mucha alegría.Dear parents, I am writing to you with much joy.
- Queridos padres, espero que estéis muy bien.Dear parents, I hope you are doing very well.
- Empieza la carta con un: Queridos padres.Start the letter with: Dear parents.
Example conversation
María is showing Javier a letter she is writing to her parents.
- María¿Crees que es adecuado poner 'Queridos padres'?Do you think it is appropriate to put 'Dear parents'?
- JavierSí, suena muy cariñoso y natural.Yes, it sounds very affectionate and natural.
- MaríaMe gusta, así que escribiré: Queridos padres.I like it, so I will write: Dear parents.
- JavierA ellos les encantará leerlo.They will love reading it.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
