mon cher
In French, the phrase "my dear" is expressed as mon cher.
mon cher is a term of endearment used to address someone you love or are close to. However, it can also be used sarcastically in a condescending or patronizing way, similar to how "my dear" or "my dear fellow" is used in English.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the possessive adjective mon (my) and the adjective cher (dear/expensive).
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase must agree in gender and number with the person or people being addressed. Use mon cher for a man and ma chère for a woman. When addressing a group of men or a mixed-gender group, use the plural form mes chers. If you are addressing a group consisting only of women, use the feminine plural form mes chères.
Did you know?
- While mon cher is affectionate, using it with a stranger or a superior in France can be perceived as an arrogant attempt to establish dominance.
- Despite the rule that possessive adjectives change for gender, the word mon is used before any singular noun starting with a vowel, even if that noun is feminine.
- The word mon may have been influenced by a Gaulish word for 'my', adding a layer of ancient Celtic history to a common French expression.
Examples in context
- Mon cher ami !My dear friend!This example shows how to use mon cher to address a dear friend.Tatoeba #1281367 by sacredceltic, translation #3631514 by thegui
- Merci, mon cher !Thank you, my dear.This example shows a way to say thank you using mon cher.Tatoeba #1924312 by sacredceltic, translation #1923455 by Spamster
- Tout ce que tu veux, mon cher.Anything you want, my dear.This example demonstrates an affectionate expression of willingness using mon cher.Tatoeba #3337194 by sacredceltic, translation #3329482 by Hybrid
- 16 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Léa and Gabriel are sitting in a cafe together.
- LéaTu as passé une bonne journée, mon cher ?Did you have a good day, my dear?
- GabrielOui, c'était très calme, Léa.Yes, it was very calm, Léa.
- LéaJe suis ravie de l'entendre.I am delighted to hear that.
- GabrielEt toi, ma chérie, comment vas-tu ?And you, my darling, how are you?
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cher, mon, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
