Spanish word

querido

Pronunciation

IPA/keˈɾiðo/

Meaning

  • adjectivedear

Example

¡Querida María, te extrañé mucho!

Dear María, I missed you very much!

Illustration for querido (dear)

More examples

Le escribí una carta a mi querido novio.

I wrote a letter to my dear boyfriend.

Core concept

Two people embracing, one whispering the word 'querido'.

Common phrases

  • querido por todos

    loved by everyone

  • mi querido novio

    my dear boyfriend

Similar words

amado: Conveys deep romantic love for a partner or deeply cherished person.
adorado: Expresses very intense, almost reverential love or worshipful admiration.
estimado: Shows polite respect and formality when addressing colleagues or superiors.
afectuoso: Displays a warm, tender manner or an affectionate, caring personality.

Definition in Spanish

Se usa para referirse a una persona amada o muy apreciada, y también como tratamiento afectuoso en cartas y mensajes.

Word origin

Querido originates as the past participle of querer 'to want, to love' from Latin quaerere 'seek, desire' and functions as an adjective or affectionate form of address meaning 'dear'.

Usage tips

  • The word can be sincere or sarcastic depending on tone and context, so vocal delivery often changes the intended warmth.

Other meanings

  • belovedadjective
  • lovernoun
  • preciousadjective

Opposites

  • despreciadodespisedadjective

Related words

  • queridísimodearestadjective

Word lists with this word