Which one should you use?
While querido is a common term of endearment, it can also function as an adjective meaning "beloved" or "esteemed" in more formal contexts, such as in letters. In contrast, if you want to express respect or affection in a more formal way, you might use mi estimado/a, which means "my esteemed" or "my dear".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In parts of Latin America, particularly in Mexico and some Central American countries, people often use mi cielo, which meaning my sky or my heaven.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase must agree in gender with the person or thing being addressed: use mi querida for females and mi querido for males. To address a group of people or things, use the plural form mis queridos. To address a group consisting only of females, use the plural feminine form mis queridas.
How do you pronounce it?
/mi keɾido/
Did you know?
- In some contexts, calling someone querido or querida can be used sarcastically to signal annoyance or fake politeness.
- The word querido comes from the verb querer, which in modern Spanish means 'to want', but in its original sense, it stems from a deeper desire to love.
- While mi querido is affectionate, using it with a stranger in some Spanish-speaking cultures can come across as condescending or overly familiar.
Examples in context
- Mi querido gatito desapareció hace una semana.My dear little cat disappeared a week ago.This sentence uses mi querido to describe a beloved pet.Tatoeba #1264505 by Shishir, translation #1152408 by belgavox
- Mi querido gatito ya lleva desaparecido una semana.My dear little cat has been missing for a week.This sentence uses mi querido to describe a pet that has been missing.Tatoeba #2113033 by marcelostockle, translation #250424 by shekitten
- Cuando yo era pequeña, mi querido Tom, el sistema solar aún tenía nueve planetas.When I was young, my dear Tom, the solar system still had nine planets.This sentence uses mi querido to address a person named Tom affectionately.Tatoeba #2089090 by marcelostockle, translation #9883342 by DJ_Saidez
- Mi estimado Juan, estoy muy agradecido por tu apoyo desinteresado en este proyecto.My dear Juan, I am very grateful for your selfless support in this project.
- ¡Hola querida María! Hace mucho que no nos vemos. ¿Cómo estás?Hello, my dear María! It's been a long time since we last saw each other. How are you?
- ¿Puedes pasarme esa carpeta, cariño?Can you pass me that folder, darling?
- ¡Hola, mi cielo! Te extrañé mucho mientras estabas de viaje.Hello, my dear! I missed you a lot while you were away.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía is greeting Daniel at the front door.
- LucíaHola, mi querido Daniel. ¿Cómo estás?Hello, my dear Daniel. How are you?
- DanielEstoy muy bien, Lucía. Gracias por preguntar.I am very well, Lucía. Thanks for asking.
- LucíaMe alegra mucho verte después de tanto tiempo.I am so glad to see you after so long.
- DanielYo también tenía muchas ganas de verte.I also really wanted to see you.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
