mi querido amigo
/mi keɾido amiɡo/from spelling rules
The English phrase "my dear friend" is translated into Spanish as mi querido amigo.
mi querido amigo is a warm and affectionate way to refer to a close friend.
Which one should you use?
While mi querido amigo implies deep affection or endearment, mi buen amigo is a more neutral way to describe a reliable or close friend.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase must change to the feminine form, mi querida amiga, if the friend is female.
How do you pronounce it?
/mi keɾido amiɡo/
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, using 'querido' can actually be a sarcastic way to address someone you are actually annoyed with, depending on the tone used.
- The word querido comes from the verb querer, which means both 'to want' and 'to love'.
- The root of amigo is the Latin word amō, which means 'to love'. This connects your friend directly to the concept of love in a way that 'friend' does not in English.
Examples in context
- Eres mi querido amigo.You are my dear friend.
- Hola, mi querido amigo, ¿cómo estás?Hello, my dear friend, how are you?
- Gracias por la ayuda, mi querido amigo.Thank you for the help, my dear friend.
Example conversation
Two old friends meet at a local cafe.
- Lucía¡Hola, mi querido amigo! Tanto tiempo sin verte.Hello, my dear friend! It has been so long since I saw you.
- AlejandroEs verdad, Lucía. Me alegra mucho verte.It is true, Lucía. I am very happy to see you.
- LucíaTú siempre eres muy amable conmigo.You are always very kind to me.
- AlejandroSiempre te trataré con mucho cariño.I will always treat you with great affection.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries amigo, mi, querido, CC BY-SA 4.0.
