French translation of
dear
is
cher
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Meaning of "dear" in English
The word "dear" in English conveys affection or high regard. It is used to address someone warmly in letters, indicating fondness or friendship. As an adjective, "dear" can mean loved or cherished, reflecting its use to describe relationships or objects with sentimental value. Additionally, it can imply high cost or value, often expressing that something holds significant importance or is expensive. The tone when using "dear" is usually polite, sincere, and endearing, making it versatile in both personal and professional contexts.
Meaning of "cher" in French
In French, "cher" is commonly used as a term of endearment, similar to "dear" in English. It is employed to warmly address someone in a letter or conversation, reflecting affection or esteem. Beyond affection, "cher" can denote costliness, as it also means "expensive" or "valuable." The word is an adjective that can change form based on gender and number (chère, chers, chères). Its usage is appropriate in both formal and informal settings, conveying warmth, familiarity, or high regard for both people and treasured belongings.
Pronunciation of "dear" in English
Phonetic Transcription: /dɪr/
Pronunciation Variations: There can be slight variations in pronunciation depending on regional accents. In British English, it may sound slightly more clipped, whereas in American English, the pronunciation might be softer, emphasizing the "r." However, the differences are minimal and generally do not alter the understanding of the word.
Pronunciation of "cher" in French
Phonetic Transcription: /ʃɛʁ/
Pronunciation Variations: In standard French, "cher" is pronounced with a soft "sh" sound followed by an open "e" and a rolled "r." Regional accents in France, such as in the South, might influence the degree of rolling the "r." In Quebec French, the vowel sound might be slightly different due to local dialects, but the basic pronunciation remains consistent.
Sentence examples in English and translation to French
- Dear John, I hope this letter finds you well. (Cher John, j'espère que cette lettre te trouve bien.)
- She is a dear friend of mine. (Elle est une chère amie à moi.)
- This watch is very dear to me. (Cette montre m'est très chère.)
- Dear diary, today was a remarkable day. (Cher journal, aujourd'hui a été une journée remarquable.)
- Dear sir, please accept my sincerest apologies. (Cher monsieur, veuillez accepter mes plus sincères excuses.)
- The painting was dear, but worth every penny. (Le tableau était cher, mais valait chaque centime.)
- Dear audience, thank you for your attention. (Cher public, merci pour votre attention.)
- Merry Christmas, dear family. (Joyeux Noël, chère famille.)
- My dear, you look lovely tonight. (Ma chérie, tu es ravissante ce soir.)
- He wrote a dear letter to his grandmother. (Il a écrit une chère lettre à sa grand-mère.)
Synonyms, antonyms, and similar words for "dear" in English
Synonyms: beloved, cherished, precious, valued, esteemed, darling, affectionate, treasured, fond, expensive.
Antonyms: despised, disliked, hated, detested, loathed, worthless, cheap, unimportant, inexpensive, unwanted.
Similar Words: sweetheart, honey, love, darling, precious, costly, pricey, intimate, friendly, cordial.
Synonyms, antonyms, and similar words for "cher" in French
Synonyms: aimé, adoré, précieux, estimé, chérie, coûteux, attachant, tendrement, onéreux, coûteux.
Antonyms: détesté, haï, méprisé, indifférent, futile, bon marché, négligé, ordinaire, sans valeur, pas cher.
Similar Words: précieux, ami, trésor, tendre, sentimental, onéreux, attachant, aimé, ami, valeur.
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