Ways to say it
| Ukrainian | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| дороги́й | dorohýj |
| ми́лий | mýlyj |
| лю́бий | ljúbyj |
дороги́й is a versatile term that can mean both 'dear' (loved) and 'expensive' (having a high price) depending on the context. ми́лий is frequently used to describe someone or something as 'cute' or 'sweet' rather than just 'dear' in a deep emotional sense. лю́бий carries a stronger sense of being 'beloved' or 'favorite' than the casual ми́лий. To refer specifically to a romantic partner, the term коха́ний is used.
Which one should you use?
While дороги́й is a standard way to say 'dear', it also functions as the word for 'expensive'. ми́лий leans more toward 'cute' or 'sweet', while лю́бий implies a person is 'beloved' or a 'favorite'. For a person who is a very kind, loving person, you might use the noun коха́ний, which is strictly reserved for a romantic partner (the person one is in love with).
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
dorohýj
Did you know?
- Because дороги́й means both 'dear' and 'expensive', a person can jokingly call a luxury item дороги́й as if they were talking to a loved one.
- In some regional dialects, ми́лий is used as a standalone noun, similar to saying 'sweetheart' or 'honey' in English, without needing a name attached.
- While коха́ний is for romantic love, the word лю́бий can be used for a pet or a favorite object, whereas коха́ний would sound absurd in those cases.
Examples in context
- Дорогий Олександре, розкажи, як ти провів вихідні?Dear Alexander, tell me, how did you spend the weekend?
- Коханий, я завжди поруч, коли тобі потрібна підтримка.Dear, I am always by your side when you need support.
- Це був дуже дороги́й мені момент.Tse buv duzhe dorohyi meni moment.It was a very dear moment to me.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “dear” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
