querido
/keh-REE-doh/
dear
The word querido is commonly used as a term of affection, meaning 'dear' or 'beloved', and is the standard way to begin a friendly letter.
querido(Adjective)
dear
?Used at the beginning of a letter or to show affection.
beloved
?Describing someone who is deeply loved by others.
,darling
?An affectionate term for someone.
📝 In Action
Querido papá: Te escribo para contarte mis noticias.
A1Dear Dad: I'm writing to tell you my news.
Es un profesor muy querido por todos sus alumnos.
A2He is a professor beloved by all his students.
Mis queridas amigas, ¡qué alegría verlas!
B1My dear friends, what a joy to see you!
💡 Grammar Points
Matching the Noun
Like many describing words in Spanish, 'querido' changes its ending to match the person or thing it's describing. Use 'querido' for masculine (querido amigo) and 'querida' for feminine (querida amiga). For groups, use 'queridos' or 'queridas'.
Word Order
When used to mean 'dear' out of affection, 'querido' usually comes before the person's name or title (e.g., 'mi querido Juan'). This placement adds an emotional touch.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing with 'Caro'
Mistake: "'Mi caro amigo' to mean 'my dear friend'."
Correction: Use 'Mi querido amigo'. While 'caro' can sometimes mean 'dear', it usually means 'expensive'. 'Querido' is the best choice for affection.
⭐ Usage Tips
The Go-To Greeting
'Querido' and 'Querida' are the standard, friendly way to start a letter or email in Spanish, just like 'Dear' in English.
As a noun, querido (masculine) or querida (feminine) can be used informally as a term of endearment, meaning 'darling' or 'sweetheart'.
querido(Noun)
lover
?A person someone is having a romantic or sexual relationship with, often outside of marriage.
,mistress
?The feminine form, 'querida', is the most common way to say this.
darling / sweetheart
?Used as a term of endearment, like calling someone 'my love'.
📝 In Action
La película trata de un hombre que tiene una querida.
B1The movie is about a man who has a mistress.
Hola, querido, ¿qué tal el trabajo hoy?
A2Hi, darling, how was work today?
Se rumorea que el político le compró un piso a su querida.
B2It's rumored that the politician bought his mistress an apartment.
⭐ Usage Tips
Watch the Context!
The meaning of 'querido/a' as a noun can be tricky. If a husband says 'mi querida' to his wife, it means 'my darling'. If people are gossiping about a man and 'su querida', it almost always means 'his mistress'. The little words like 'mi' (my) and 'su' (his/her) are a big clue!
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: querido
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'querido' to mean 'dear' (as in a letter)?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'querido' and 'estimado' at the start of a letter?
Both mean 'dear', but 'estimado' is more formal. You would use 'Estimado Sr. Pérez' in a business letter. You use 'Querido Juan' for a friend or family member. Think of it as 'Dear Sir' (estimado) vs. 'Dear John' (querido).
Is 'querido' only for romantic love?
Not at all! You can use it for anyone you have affection for—family, close friends, and even beloved pets or teachers. It shows you care about them, not necessarily in a romantic way.