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"Querida" is a form of "querida", a noun which is often translated as "mistress". "Querido" is a form of "querido", an adjective which is often translated as "dear". Learn more about the difference between "querida" and "querido" below.
la querida(
keh
-
ree
-
dah
)
A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
feminine noun
1.
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
(colloquial)
(paramour)
a. mistress
Su querida vive en otro pueblo.His mistress lives in another town.
b. lover
Le compró una casa a su querida.He bought his lover a house.
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querido(
keh
-
ree
-
doh
)
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
adjective
a. dear
Este jarrón era de mi querida abuela Aída.This vase belonged to my dear granny Aida.
b. beloved
Tras el exilio, nunca regresó a su patria querida.After his exile, he never went back to his beloved country.
a. dear
Querido Manuel: te escribo esta postal en una mañana lluviosa.Dear Manuel, I'm writing you this postcard on a rainy morning.
3.
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
(colloquial)
(kind) (Andes)
a. nice
Su novio es muy querido.Her boyfriend is really nice.
This means that the noun can be masculine or feminine, depending on the gender of the noun it refers to (e.g., el doctor, la doctora).
masculine or feminine noun
a. dear
Sí, querida, ya saqué la basura.Yes, dear, I already took the trash out.
b. darling
¡Claro que iré, querido!Of course I'll go, darling!
This means that the noun can be masculine or feminine, depending on the gender of the noun it refers to (e.g., el doctor, la doctora).
masculine or feminine noun
a. lover
La mujer del panadero tenía un querido.The baker's wife had a lover.
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