mon chéri
In French, 'my darling' is expressed as mon chéri.
This phrase is a term of endearment used to address someone you love. For more informal alternatives, you might also hear mon chou (my cabbage), mon lapin (my rabbit) or mon poussin (my chick).
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally means 'my cherished one', as chéri is the past participle of the verb chérir, which means 'to cherish'.
How does it change in a sentence?
You must change the gender of the phrase to match the person you are addressing: use mon chéri when speaking to a man and ma chérie when speaking to a woman.
Did you know?
- The word mon chou literally means 'my cabbage', but it refers to a small cream puff pastry called a chou à la crème.
- While English speakers use 'darling' for many people, calling a stranger mon chéri in a French shop can feel inappropriately intimate.
- The word chéri is linked to the Arabic word šarʕ, which refers to 'law' or 'path'.
Examples in context
- Te voilà, mon chéri.There you are, my darling.This sentence shows how to use mon chéri when someone arrives.Tatoeba #12952605 by menaud, translation #12952609 by menaud
- Bon anniversaire, mon chéri !Happy birthday, my darling!This sentence shows how to use mon chéri in a birthday greeting.Tatoeba #13954146 by Ioan_Cristian, translation #13954145 by Ioan_Cristian
- Ne me quitte pas, oh mon chéri.Do not forsake me, oh my darling.This sentence shows a plea using mon chéri.Tatoeba #8880401 by carlosalberto, translation #8880384 by carlosalberto
- Mon chou, tu es vraiment adorable.My darling, you are truly adorable.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas and Léa are having breakfast together.
- LucasTu veux un café, mon chéri ?Do you want a coffee, my darling?
- LéaOui, s'il te plaît, Lucas.Yes, please, Lucas.
- LucasTiens, voilà ton café.Here, here is your coffee.
- LéaMerci beaucoup, mon chéri.Thank you very much, my darling.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries chéri, mon, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
