親愛なる
shin'ai naru
The English word "dear" is translated into Japanese as 親愛なる (shin'ai naru).
In Japanese, 親愛なる is typically used as a salutation in letters or formal addresses, rather than as a casual term of endearment in spoken conversation.
Meaning: loved, lovable (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 親愛 (shin'ai), meaning "affectionate love" and なる (naru), a classical attributive particle used to link an adjective or noun to a following noun.
Which one should you use?
While 親愛なる is used for formal salutations, the more common way to express that someone or something is "dear" or "beloved" in everyday speech is using だいすきな.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
親愛なる is a highly formal and somewhat literary expression, most commonly used in written correspondence, speeches or religious contexts.
How do you pronounce it?
shin'ai naru
Did you know?
- While 親愛なる is used for 'dear', Japanese speakers rarely use any adjective for endearment when speaking directly to a loved one, preferring to use the person's name or a title.
- The word 親 (shin) in 親愛 also means 'parent' or 'relative', which links the concept of 'dear' to the deep-rooted importance of family ties in Japanese culture.
- Because 親愛なる is so literary, using it in a casual text message could make it seem like you are being intentionally sarcastic or dramatic.
Examples in context
- 親愛なる兄弟、姉妹の皆さん。Dear brothers and sisters!This sentence is useful for seeing how to use 親愛なる in a formal address.Tatoeba #2349326 by hutian, translation #2309358 by Balamax
- 親しい友達へDear friend
Example conversation
Yota is reading a letter from Yui.
- 陽太 Yota「親愛なる陽太へ」と書いてあるね。「Shin-ai naru Yota e」 to kaite aru ne.It says, "To dear Yota."
- 結衣 Yuiふふっ、ちょっと丁寧すぎるかな。Fufu, chotto teinei sugiru kana.Hehe, maybe it's a bit too formal.
- 陽太 Yotaいや、とても嬉しいよ。Iya, totemo ureshii yo.No, I'm very happy.
- 結衣 Yuiよかった。心を込めて書いたんだ。Yokatta. Kokoro o komete kaita nda.I'm glad. I wrote it from my heart.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 親愛なる, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
