What is the difference betweeen querida and estimada?

Question

I want to know the difference between the two words above.

Answer 1

"Querida" means "dear" in the sense of "loved". You would only start a letter with "Querida...." when you are familiar with the recipient of the letter. Like you would write your mother, aunt, maybe a neighbour you know well.

"Estimada" is used just as you would use "Dear madam" in English and could be translated as "wellrespected" and is used when the letter is adressed to a person you are not familiar with. For instance, a docter, lawyer, a client, any lady you haven't met before.

Of course, the same goes for the masculin "querido" and "estimado", if were to replace "mother" and "madam" with "father" and "Sir".

Hope this helps!

Saludos, Chica

Good way to put it!!! - LuisaGomezBartle, May 4, 2010

Thanks :)! - chicasabrosa, May 4, 2010