ma chérie
ma chérie is the French way to say "my darling" when addressing a female.
This phrase is used in an informal context to convey affectionate feelings towards a loved one or a close friend.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the possessive adjective ma (my, feminine) and the noun chérie (darling/dear).
Which one should you use?
ma chérie is used specifically when addressing a woman. When addressing a male partner, you must use the masculine form mon chéri.
How does it change in a sentence?
To address a male partner, the feminine ma chérie changes to the masculine mon chéri.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use ma chérie when addressing a man, as it is grammatically incorrect. Use mon chéri instead.
Did you know?
- While ma chérie is for women, French speakers often use mon chou (my cabbage) as a similarly common term of endearment for partners of any gender.
- Calling a woman ma chérie in a professional setting can be seen as patronizing or even a form of sexual harassment.
- The word chérie comes from the same Latin root as the English word 'cherish', creating a linguistic bridge between the two languages.
Examples in context
- Ma chérie, tu es tellement importante pour moi.My darling, you are so important to me.
- Ma chérie, je suis heureux d'être à tes côtés.My darling, I am happy to be by your side.
- Tu es magnifique, ma chérie.You are beautiful, my darling.
- Bonne nuit, ma chérie.Goodnight, my dear.
- Je t'aime, ma chérie.I love you, my darling.
Example conversation
Hugo is greeting Manon in the kitchen.
- ManonBonjour, Hugo !Good morning, Hugo!
- HugoBonjour, ma chérie. Tu as bien dormi ?Good morning, my darling. Did you sleep well?
- ManonOui, très bien, merci.Yes, very well, thank you.
- HugoC'est super, Manon.That's great, Manon.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ma, CC BY-SA 4.0.
