mój drogi
/ˈmuj ˈdrɔ.ɡi/word by word
The English phrase "my dear" is translated into Polish as mój drogi.
mój drogi is a term of endearment used to address someone the speaker loves or cares about. While the adjective drogi can mean "expensive" in a commercial context, when used as a direct address, it functions exclusively as a term of endearment.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the possessive pronoun mój (my) and the adjective drogi (dear/expensive).
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase must change gender to match the person being addressed: use moja droga for a woman and mój drogi for a man.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈmuj ˈdrɔ.ɡi/. It has 3 syllables and the stress is on the 1st syllable.
Did you know?
- While drogi means 'dear' in a greeting, the word droga also means 'road' or 'way' in Polish.
- Using mój drogi with a stranger in a service setting, such as a shop, can be seen as overly familiar or an attempt to manipulate the other person.
- The word drogi shares a common linguistic ancestor with the English word 'dear', as both originate from Proto-Indo-European roots relating to value and preciousness.
Examples in context
- Cześć kochanie! Jak minął twój dzień?Hi, my dear! How was your day?
- Mój drogi, nie martw się już.My dear, do not worry anymore.
- Wróć do mnie, mój drogi.Come back to me, my dear.
- Słuchaj mnie, mój drogi, to ważne.Listen to me, my dear, this is important.
Example conversation
Katarzyna is comforting Piotr during a difficult time.
- KatarzynaMój drogi, wszystko będzie dobrze.My dear, everything will be fine.
- PiotrDziękuję ci, Katarzyno.Thank you, Katarzyna.
- KatarzynaZawsze będę przy tobie.I will always be by your side.
- PiotrTo wiele dla mnie znaczy.That means a lot to me.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (mój, drogi) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries drogi, mój, CC BY-SA 4.0.
