diff --git a/pinecone/db_data/types/query_filter.py b/pinecone/db_data/types/query_filter.py
index ebeaae716..925f91609 100644
--- a/pinecone/db_data/types/query_filter.py
+++ b/pinecone/db_data/types/query_filter.py
@@ -17,6 +17,22 @@
 NinFilter = dict[Literal["$nin"], list[FieldValue]]
 ExistsFilter = dict[Literal["$exists"], bool]
 
+# Operator-only filters (e.g., {"$eq": "value"})
+OperatorFilter = (
+    EqFilter
+    | NeFilter
+    | GtFilter
+    | GteFilter
+    | LtFilter
+    | LteFilter
+    | InFilter
+    | NinFilter
+    | ExistsFilter
+)
+
+# Field-level filters that can use operators or exact match (e.g., {"field": {"$eq": "value"}})
+FieldFilter = dict[str, OperatorFilter | FieldValue]
+
 SimpleFilter = (
     ExactMatchFilter
     | EqFilter
@@ -28,6 +44,7 @@
     | InFilter
     | NinFilter
     | ExistsFilter
+    | FieldFilter
 )
 AndFilter = dict[Literal["$and"], list[SimpleFilter]]
 OrFilter = dict[Literal["$or"], list[SimpleFilter]]