bonjour, mon chéri
The English phrase "hello, my darling" is translated into French as bonjour, mon chéri.
This phrase is an affectionate greeting used to address a romantic partner or a loved one. While the terms of endearment mon chéri and ma chérie are commonly used between romantic partners, they can also be used by parents toward their children.
Which one should you use?
While bonjour is a standard greeting, the addition of mon chéri or ma chérie shifts the register from a neutral greeting to an intimate, affectionate one.
How does it change in a sentence?
Use the feminine form bonjour, ma chérie if you are addressing a woman.
Did you know?
- French has many animal-based terms of endearment, such as mon chaton for 'my kitten' or ma puce for 'my flea', which serve as alternatives to mon chéri.
- The word chéri is a linguistic traveler that entered the French language via Ottoman Turkish from the Arabic word for 'law' or 'religion'.
- In many French-speaking cultures, using 'mon chéri' can be considered far too intimate for acquaintances and might even cause social discomfort if used in a professional setting.
Examples in context
- Bonjour, ma chère SophieHello, my darling Sophie
- Bonjour, mon amourHello, my darling
- Bonjour, mon chéri, tu as bien dormi ?Hello, my darling, did you sleep well?
- Bonjour, mon chéri, je suis ravie de te voir.Hello, my darling, I am delighted to see you.
- Bonjour, mon chéri, tu es prêt pour le dîner ?Hello, my darling, are you ready for dinner?
Example conversation
Chloé greets Nathan in their kitchen in the morning.
- ChloéBonjour, mon chéri, tu veux un café ?Hello, my darling, do you want a coffee?
- NathanOui, merci beaucoup, Chloé.Yes, thank you very much, Chloé.
- ChloéJe te prépare ça tout de suite.I will prepare that for you right away.
- NathanTu es vraiment adorable.You are truly lovely.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bonjour, chéri, mon, CC BY-SA 4.0.
