What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of meu (my) and querido (dear/beloved), literally meaning my dear one.
Which one should you use?
While meu querido is a term of endearment, meu amor is a much more common and more intense way to say "my love" in romantic relationships.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The phrase meu querido can have a formal or literary feel. For a more formal expression of endearment meaning "my beloved", you can use Meu Amado or Minha Amada. In more informal settings, you might use Meu Bem to mean "my dear" or "my love" or the playful and informal Amorzinho to say "my darling".
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase must change gender to agree with the person being addressed: use minha querida for a woman and meu querido for a man.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /mew keˈɾi.du/. The word has 3 syllables and the stress is on the 2nd syllable.
Did you know?
- In some Brazilian contexts, calling someone querido or querida can be a way to address a stranger politely, similar to saying 'dear' or 'sir/madam' in a shop.
- The word querido comes from the verb querer, which means 'to want'. In Portuguese, you are essentially calling someone 'my wanted one'.
- In very traditional or religious contexts, meu amado is often used to describe the relationship between a soul and the divine, rather than between two people.
Examples in context
- Não me abandones, oh meu querido.Do not forsake me, oh my darling.This sentence is useful for seeing the use of meu querido in a plea.Tatoeba #8880389 by carlosalberto, translation #8880384 by carlosalberto
- Paulo, meu querido, você é a pessoa mais especial na minha vida.Paulo, my darling, you are the most special person in my life.
- Maria, minha amada, você ilumina o meu mundo.Maria, my beloved, you brighten up my world.
- Ana, meu bem, você é tudo para mim.Ana, my darling, you mean everything to me.
- Pedro, você é o meu amorzinho.Pedro, you are my little darling.
- Escute, meu querido, eu te amo.Listen, my darling, I love you.
Example conversation
A couple is saying goodbye before work.
- CamilaBom dia, meu querido.Good morning, my darling.
- FelipeBom dia, Camila. Você está linda.Good morning, Camila. You look beautiful.
- CamilaObrigada, querido. Tenha um bom dia.Thank you, darling. Have a good day.
- FelipeTchau, te amo!Bye, I love you!
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (meu, querido) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries meu, querido, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
