mon chéri
In French, "my sweetheart" is translated as mon chéri.
The phrase is used to address a sweetheart, but it is also commonly used by parents toward their children. Other informal affectionate expressions include mon loulou (sweetie) and mon petit cœur (my little heart).
What does it mean word for word?
The word chéri is the past participle of the verb chérir, which means to cherish and translates to darling or dear.
How does it change in a sentence?
Use the feminine form ma chérie when addressing a woman.
Did you know?
- While mon chéri is for romance or family, French speakers also use mon chou to call a sweetheart 'my cabbage'. This is a play on the word chou meaning both 'cabbage' and 'cream puff'.
- The word chéri has unexpected roots in the Arabic word for 'law' or 'path', having entered the French language via Ottoman Turkish.
- The word chéri can also be used as a noun to describe a person who is a 'darling' or 'favoured' in a non-romantic way, such as a teacher's pet.
Examples in context
- Te voilà, mon chéri.There you are, my sweetheart.Tatoeba #12952605 by menaud, translation #12952610 by menaud
- Mon chéri, tu es la personne la plus importante pour moi.My sweetheart, you are the most important person to me.
- Mon amour, tu rends ma vie meilleure chaque jour.My love, you make my life better every day.
- Viens ici, mon loulou, je veux te faire un câlin.Come here, sweetie, I want to give you a hug.
- Tu me manques, mon petit cœur.I miss you, my little heart.
- Tu me manques, mon chéri.I miss you, my sweetheart.
- Bonne nuit, mon chéri.Goodnight, my sweetheart.
Example conversation
Emma and Hugo are saying goodbye before Hugo goes to work.
- EmmaPasse une bonne journée, mon chéri.Have a good day, my sweetheart.
- HugoMerci, Emma. À ce soir !Thanks, Emma. See you tonight!
- EmmaJe t'aime très fort.I love you very much.
- HugoMoi aussi, je t'aime.Me too, I love you.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries chéri, mon, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
