meu querido
/mew keˈɾi.du/word by word
The English phrase 'my dear' is translated into Portuguese as meu querido.
meu querido is a term of endearment used to address someone the speaker loves or cares about. In many casual contexts, Portuguese speakers drop the possessive 'meu/minha' and simply use querido or querida as a vocative.
Which one should you use?
While meu querido means 'my dear', using just the adjective querido or querida is also a common way to address someone affectionately.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Brazilian Portuguese, xuxu is an endearing term used to address someone affectionately.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase must agree in gender with the person or object being addressed: use minha querida for females and meu querido for males. To address a group of people, use the plural forms meus queridos (all male or mixed group) or minhas queridas (all female).
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /mew keˈɾi.du/, with three syllables and the stress on the second syllable.
Did you know?
- While meu querido is used for people, Brazilians often use xuxu for partners, which is the word for 'chayote squash'.
- The word querido is the past participle of the verb querer, which means 'to want'. This means that when you call someone meu querido, you are literally saying they are 'one who is wanted'.
- In many parts of Brazil, you might hear people use querido or querida with complete strangers, such as a shopkeeper addressing a customer, to create a sense of warmth and friendliness.
Examples in context
- Como você está, meu querido?How are you, my dear?This example shows how to use meu querido in a greeting.Tatoeba #7082934 by alexmarcelo, translation #1312590 by Eldad
- Todo domingo é santo, meu querido primo.Every Sunday is holy, my dear cousin.This example demonstrates using meu querido as a descriptor for a relative.Tatoeba #12991440 by carlosalberto, translation #12991594 by carlosalberto
- O meu querido gatinho desapareceu há uma semana.My dear little cat disappeared a week ago.This example shows meu querido being used to describe a pet.Tatoeba #1264497 by alexmarcelo, translation #1152408 by belgavox
- Prezado Sr. Silva, meu caro colega, espero que esta mensagem encontre você bem.Dear Mr. Silva, my dear colleague, I hope this message finds you well.
- Oi, meu querido! Como você está hoje?Hi, my dear! How are you today?
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel is greeting Camila at home.
- GabrielOlá, meu querido!Hello, my dear!
- CamilaOi, meu amor. Como foi o dia?Hi, my love. How was your day?
- GabrielFoi ótimo, mas estou cansado.It was great, but I am tired.
- CamilaDescanse um pouco agora.Rest a little now.
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.
