querido
“querido” means “dear” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
dear
Also: beloved, darling
📝 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!
lover, mistress
Also: darling / sweetheart
📝 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.
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: querido
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'querido' to mean 'dear' (as in a letter)?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes from the verb 'querer' (to want/love), which itself is from the Latin word 'quaerere', meaning 'to seek' or 'to ask for'. So, a 'querido' person is someone who is 'sought after' or 'desired', which evolved to mean 'loved' or 'dear'.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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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.