mon chéri
The English phrase "my honey" is translated into French as mon chéri.
mon chéri is a term of endearment used to address a romantic partner or someone loved dearly. While it is used for "my honey," it is more literally equivalent to "my darling" or "my dear" in English. Other informal options include Mon Amour (my love), the playful Mon Chouchou and Mon Lapin (my rabbit).
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally means "my cherished one." The word chéri is the past participle of the verb chérir, which means "to cherish."
Which one should you use?
mon chéri is the masculine form used when addressing a man, whereas ma chérie is the feminine form used when addressing a woman.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase changes gender to match the person being addressed: use ma chérie for a woman and mon chéri for a man.
Did you know?
- The word chéri is believed to have been borrowed from the Arabic and Ottoman Turkish word for 'law' or 'religious path'.
- While mon chéri is romantic, French speakers also use ma puce, which means 'my flea', as a sweet term of endearment.
- In French culture, it is common for parents to call their children mon chéri or ma chérie, not just romantic partners.
Examples in context
- Tu me manques, mon chéri.I miss you, my honey.
- Viens ici, mon chéri.Come here, my honey.
- Bonne nuit, mon chéri.Good night, my honey.
Example conversation
Hugo and Manon are having breakfast together.
- HugoTu veux du café, mon chéri ?Do you want some coffee, my honey?
- ManonOui, s'il te plaît, Hugo.Yes, please, Hugo.
- HugoLe voilà, mon chéri.Here it is, my honey.
- ManonMerci beaucoup !Thank you very much!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries chéri, mon, CC BY-SA 4.0.
