meu querido amigo
/mew keˈɾi.du aˈmi.ɡu/word by word
The English phrase "my dear friend" is translated into Portuguese as meu querido amigo.
meu querido amigo is an affectionate way to address or refer to a close friend. You can also use the variation Meu Amigo Querido, which carries the same meaning.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is built from meu (my), querido (dear/beloved) and amigo (friend).
Which one should you use?
While meu querido amigo is affectionate, it can sound slightly more formal or literary in spoken Portuguese compared to more casual terms of endearment like meu amigo or cara.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some Brazilian regions, meu chapa is an endearing way to refer to a friend.
How does it change in a sentence?
If the friend is female, meu querido amigo becomes minha querida amiga. To refer to a group of dear friends, use the plural form meus queridos amigos.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /mew keˈɾi.du aˈmi.ɡu/. It has 5 syllables and the stress is on the 2nd syllable.
Did you know?
- If you call someone meu querido in a heated argument, it can actually sound sarcastic or condescending rather than affectionate, depending on your tone.
- The word querido comes from the verb querer, which in Portuguese means both 'to want' and 'to love'.
- In some Portuguese dialects, adding meu before a noun is used as a filler word similar to 'man' or 'dude' in English, even if the person is not actually your friend.
Examples in context
- Meu querido amigo!My dear friend!This sentence is useful for expressing the phrase meu querido amigo.Tatoeba #13309058 by piterkeo, translation #3631514 by thegui
- Prezado Amigo, espero que esta mensagem encontre você bem.Dear friend, I hope this message finds you well.
- Meu Querido Amigo, estava com saudades!My dear friend, I missed you!
- Você é meu querido amigo.You are my dear friend.
- Ele é meu querido amigo de infância.He is my dear childhood friend.
Example conversation
Juliana and Gabriel are catching up at a cafe.
- JulianaOi, meu querido amigo!Hi, my dear friend!
- GabrielOlá, Juliana! Como você está?Hello, Juliana! How are you?
- JulianaEstou muito bem, obrigada.I am very well, thank you.
- GabrielQue bom ouvir isso.That is good to hear.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (meu, querido, amigo) and can differ in connected speech.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
