Ways to say it
| French | IPA |
|---|---|
| bien-aimé | /bjɛ̃.n‿ɛ.me/ /bjɛ̃.n‿e.me/ |
| chéri | /ʃe.ʁi/ |
Both terms are used to describe someone or something that is much loved. While bien-aimé functions as an adjective, chéri is very common in everyday speech as both an adjective and a noun. As a noun, mon chéri can be used to address a person directly as 'my darling' in romantic or familial contexts. If you are looking for a noun meaning 'someone who is loved', you might use amant or amante.
What does it mean word for word?
The word bien-aimé is a compound of bien, meaning well and aimé, meaning loved, which literally translates to 'well-loved'.
Which one should you use?
bien-aimé is typically used in a more formal, literary or poetic sense. In contrast, chéri is more common in everyday speech and frequently serves as a term of endearment, such as 'darling', for a partner or a child.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Québec, the terms mon chum and ma blonde are used to refer to a boyfriend or male friend and a girlfriend or female friend respectively.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective bien-aimé must agree in gender with the noun it modifies, such as adding an -e to form bien-aimée for feminine nouns. The adjective chéri also follows agreement rules, such as adding an -s to form the masculine plural chéris.
How do you pronounce it?
bien-aimé is pronounced /bjɛ̃.n‿ɛ.me/ and has three syllables.
When do people say it?
French speakers have many ways to express affection. Besides using chéri(e) as 'darling' or 'dear', you can use Ma Chère or Mon Cher for 'my dear'. For a more informal touch, the term Mon Loulou can be used to mean 'sweetie' or 'honey'.
Did you know?
- The term chéri actually traces its roots back to the legal and religious concept of 'law' or 'path' in Arabic and Ottoman Turkish.
- The phrase bien-aimé is so heavily associated with formal literature that using it in a modern casual conversation can make the speaker sound like a character from a 19th-century novel.
- While chéri is a common term of endearment for a partner, it is also frequently used to address children.
Examples in context
- Il était un mari chéri et un père aimant.He was a beloved husband and a doting father.This sentence uses chéri to describe a husband and father.Tatoeba #10638703 by lbdx, translation #10638700 by Luornu
- Les gens les plus chéris au monde sont les gens spontanés.The most beloved people in the world are the spontaneous.This sentence uses chéri to describe people who are beloved in the world.Tatoeba #1035536 by sacredceltic, translation #847179 by Source_Benedict_1921
- Il est allé à Yokohama avec sa voiture bien-aimée.He went to Yokohama in his beloved car.This sentence uses bien-aimé to describe a car.Tatoeba #390164 by Scott, translation #838841 by Scott
- Je t'aime, mon cherI love you, my dear
- Mon amour, tu es la raison de mon bonheurMy love, you are the reason for my happiness
- Ma chère, tu es la personne la plus importante dans ma vieMy dear, you are the most important person in my life
- Mon loulou, tu es adorableSweetie, you are adorable
- Mon chou, je t'adoreMy cabbage, I adore you
- Mon cœur, tu es ma raison de vivreMy heart, you are my reason for living
- Ma puce, tu es ma raison de sourireMy flea, you are my reason to smile
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nathan and Chloé are discussing a late relative.
- NathanIl était un grand-père bien-aimé de tous.He was a beloved grandfather to everyone.
- ChloéOui, tout le monde l'adorait vraiment.Yes, everyone really adored him.
- NathanC'était un homme bien-aimé et très généreux.He was a beloved and very generous man.
- ChloéC'est vrai, il nous manque beaucoup.That's true, we miss him a lot.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “beloved” translations and entries bien-aimé, chéri, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries chéri, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
