Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| querido | /keˈɾi.du/ (Brazil) /kiˈɾi.du/ (Brazil) |
masculine |
| amor | /aˈmoʁ/ (Brazil) /aˈmoɾ/ (São Paulo) |
feminine, masculine |
| tesouro | /teˈzo(w).ɾu/ (Brazil) /t͡ʃiˈzo(w).ɾu/ (Brazil) |
feminine, masculine |
These terms are used to refer to a person who is much liked or loved by someone. While some terms function as adjectives turned into nouns to mean 'dear one', others are direct nouns like amor, which means 'love'. It is very common to use the possessive pronoun meu (my) before amor to say 'my love' when addressing a loved one.
What does it mean word for word?
The term docinho literally translates to 'little candy' or 'sweetie'.
Which one should you use?
Querido functions as an adjective-turned-noun meaning 'dear one', whereas amor is a direct noun meaning 'love' used as a term of endearment.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Rio de Janeiro region, morzão is used as a term of endearment meaning 'big love'. In northeastern Brazil, benzinho is a popular term of endearment.
How does it change in a sentence?
The term querido changes based on gender and number: use querida when addressing a woman, queridos for a group of men or a mixed-gender group and queridas for a group of women. The word amor can be used in both masculine and feminine contexts as an endearing term.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of querido is /keˈɾi.du/. It has three syllables, with the stress on the second syllable.
Did you know?
- Portuguese speakers may use amor to address a stranger in a friendly or flirtatious way, such as a shopkeeper calling a customer meu amor.
- The word tesouro for 'treasure' or 'sweetheart' shares an ancient Greek ancestor with the English word 'thesaurus'.
- In Brazil, the diminutive -inho suffix used in benzinho or docinho doesn't just mean 'small' but adds a layer of tenderness and intimacy.
Examples in context
- Querido, precisamos ir ao mercado. Estamos sem leite.Sweetheart, we need to go to the supermarket. We ran out of milk.This sentence shows how to use querido when addressing a loved one.Tatoeba #1926657 by alexmarcelo, translation #837002 by nthkmf
- Olá, meu amorzinho.Hello, sweetheart.This sentence demonstrates the use of amor as an affectionate term.Tatoeba #13080534 by carlosalberto, translation #13080537 by carlosalberto
- Bom dia, querida. O relatório está pronto para a reunião?Good morning, sweetheart. Is the report ready for the meeting?
- Eu vim aqui para te encontrar, amada.I came here to meet you, sweetheart.
- Como foi seu dia, amor?How was your day, sweetheart?
- Bom dia, docinho! Te amo muito.Good morning, sweetheart! I love you so much.
- Ele é um querido.He is a sweetheart.
Example conversation
Mariana is thanking Gabriel for helping her with a chore.
- MarianaObrigada por lavar a louça, querido.Thank you for doing the dishes, sweetheart.
- GabrielNão foi nada, Mariana.It was nothing, Mariana.
- MarianaVocê é sempre tão gentil.You are always so kind.
- GabrielEu faço tudo por você.I do everything for you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sweetheart” translations and entries querido, amor, tesouro, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries amor, querido, tesouro, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
