What does it mean word for word?
The word is the past participle of the verb querer (to want or to love), so it literally means one who is wanted or beloved.
Which one should you use?
While querido is a common and classic term of endearment, other informal terms like amor or bem are frequently used between romantic partners as slang.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Portugal, it is common to use fofinho or fofinha as informal terms of endearment. In Brazil, amorzinho is a popular term of endearment.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form changes based on the gender and number of the people being addressed: querida is used for a woman or girl, queridos is used for a group of men or a mixed-gender group and queridas is used for a group of women or girls.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /keˈɾi.du/. It has three syllables, and the stress is on the second syllable.
When do people say it?
Other common endearing terms include amor, which means "love" and is used for loved ones or partners. Depending on the region, speakers might also use fofinho/a in Portugal or amorzinho in Brazil.
Did you know?
- In Brazilian Portuguese, terms of endearment like amorzinho are often used by strangers in service industries, such as by a waitress, to be friendly.
- In some social contexts, using querido with a specific tone of voice can shift from being affectionate to sounding patronizing or passive-aggressive.
- The word bem, another way to say 'sweetie', literally means 'well' or 'good', treating the partner as the speaker's own well-being.
Examples in context
- O que há de errado, querido?What's wrong sweetie?This sentence shows how to use querido when asking someone what is wrong.Tatoeba #1544025 by alexmarcelo, translation #1543975 by Spamster
- Querida, você é a pessoa mais especial da minha vida.Sweetie, you are the most special person in my life.
- Amor, você é a coisa mais doce que me aconteceu.Sweetie, you are the sweetest thing that has happened to me.
- Você é meu amorzinho preferido.You are my favorite sweetie.
- Obrigada pelo presente, querido.Thank you for the gift, sweetie.
- Você está bem, querido?Are you okay, sweetie?
Example conversation
Beatriz and Felipe are having breakfast at home.
- BeatrizBom dia, querido.Good morning, sweetie.
- FelipeBom dia, Beatriz.Good morning, Beatriz.
- BeatrizVocê quer café, querido?Do you want coffee, sweetie?
- FelipeSim, por favor.Yes, please.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry querido, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
