Introduction
The word cher is a French adjective that translates in English as "dear" or "expensive," depending on the context. It is most commonly used to express affection or endearment when addressing someone in written or spoken French. In formal correspondence, it appears at the beginning of letters as a salutation, equivalent to "Dear" in English. The feminine form of the adjective is chère, and plural forms are chers for masculine and chères for feminine. Beyond its lexical meaning, cher occupies a central place in French social conventions, literary styles, and the broader Romance language family.
Etymology
Origin in Latin
Derived from the Latin adjective cherus, which meant "late" or "tardy," the term entered Old French in the late Middle Ages. Over time, the sense shifted to "expensive" or "precious" as a metaphor for something of great value. The connotation of worthiness eventually broadened to emotional endearment in the 17th century, especially in letter-writing conventions that favored polite forms of address.
Phonological Evolution
The phonetic rendering of cher has remained relatively stable. The Old French form chere was pronounced [tʃeːʁ] with a long vowel. The modern pronunciation [ʃeʁ] reflects the palatalization of the initial consonant cluster and the shortening of the vowel. The feminine ending -e is pronounced as a schwa [ə], producing [ʃeːʁe] in contemporary speech.
Grammatical Functions
Adjective Usage
As an adjective, cher modifies a noun that is preceded by a determiner, such as un, le, or la. Agreement in gender and number is mandatory:
- Masculine singular: cher ami – "dear friend"
- Feminine singular: chère amie
- Masculine plural: chers amis
- Feminine plural: chères amies
Predicative Position
The adjective can also appear after the noun it modifies, especially in literary or formal contexts. Example: l’ami cher – "the dear friend." In this position, the adjective retains the same agreement rules.
Nominal Use
In some contexts, cher functions as a noun meaning "dear one" or "beloved." This usage is rare in contemporary French but appears in historical texts. Example: Mon cher – literally "my dear one," used as a term of endearment.
Historical Development
Medieval Correspondence
In the 15th and 16th centuries, French letter-writing followed strict social hierarchies. The salutation cher (masculine) or chère (feminine) was reserved for friends and close acquaintances. Formal letters to superiors employed titles such as monsieur or madame. The usage of cher signaled familiarity and trust.
Renaissance and Enlightenment
With the proliferation of printed books and the rise of personal correspondence, the usage of cher expanded. Literary works of authors such as Molière and Rousseau frequently employed the term to convey intimacy. The shift from a purely value-based meaning ("expensive") to an affectionate one paralleled the growing importance of personal relationships in written communication.
Modern Standardization
By the 19th century, the term had become firmly entrenched in French orthography and grammar. The Académie Française, established in 1635, recognized cher as a standard adjective with fixed gender and number agreement. The 20th century saw further normalization with the adoption of standardized forms in educational curricula, ensuring consistent usage across formal and informal contexts.
Usage in Correspondence
Letter Salutations
The opening of a letter typically follows the pattern:
- Formal: Madame, Monsieur,
- Informal: Chère Madame, or Cher Monsieur,
- Friendly: Mon cher ami, or Ma chère amie,
Following the salutation, a comma or semicolon precedes the body of the letter. The closing often repeats the salutation with a complimentary closing phrase, e.g., Avec mes sentiments les plus chers,.
Emails and Texts
In digital communication, the use of cher has diminished due to brevity preferences. However, in formal emails, especially those addressing colleagues or superiors, it remains acceptable. The choice between cher and chère is determined by the gender of the addressee.
Business Contexts
Corporate letters to clients or partners sometimes employ cher for a courteous tone. For example, a sales representative may begin with Chère Madame Dupont, indicating a respectful relationship without overstepping professional boundaries.
Variations by Gender and Number
Singular Forms
In singular usage, the adjective aligns with the noun's gender:
- Masculine: cher – Example: cher collègue
- Feminine: chère – Example: chère collègue
Plural Forms
Plural forms are used when addressing a group or referring to multiple people:
- Masculine plural: chers – Example: chers collègues
- Feminine plural: chères – Example: chères collègues
Contextual Nuances
When addressing a mixed-gender group, French convention prescribes using the masculine plural: chers collègues. This rule reflects the grammatical convention that masculine plural forms serve as default for mixed groups.
Comparative Romance Language Equivalents
Italian
The Italian adjective caro mirrors cher in both value and affectionate senses. The feminine form is cara, and plural forms are cari and care. Italian letter salutation patterns also employ caro or cara similarly to French.
Spanish
In Spanish, the adjective cariño (as an adjective, cariñoso) conveys affection but is less directly analogous to cher. The Spanish salutation Estimado (masculine) or Estimada (feminine) is more commonly used in formal correspondence, translating closer to "Dear" in English. Spanish also employs amado (masculine) and amada (feminine) for affectionate address.
Portuguese
Portuguese uses querido (masculine) and querida (feminine) for affectionate address. Plural forms are queridos and queridas. The usage parallels that of cher in French letter openings.
Romanian
Romanian features dragi (masculine) and dragi (plural), with draga for feminine singular. These forms are used in both affectionate speech and written salutations, reflecting the broader Romance pattern of affectionate adjectives derived from terms of endearment.
Semantic Range
Affectionate Meaning
In contemporary French, the dominant sense of cher is affectionate. It conveys a personal bond or emotional closeness. The term may be used in speech, written communication, and even in advertising to establish rapport with the audience.
Value-Based Meaning
When used in economic contexts, cher denotes high cost or price. Example: Les frais de transport sont chers. Here, the adjective retains its original connotation of value or expense.
Colloquial Expressions
French colloquialisms such as cher à perdre son sang-froid ("so expensive it's worth losing your composure") illustrate the blending of value and affection in idiomatic usage. These expressions often carry a playful or ironic tone.
Cultural Impact
Literature
Authors across centuries have employed cher to underscore intimate relationships. In the works of Victor Hugo, cher appears in letters to family members, underscoring the emotional depth of his correspondence. The use of the term in poetry, such as in the works of Paul Valéry, highlights its capacity to convey tenderness and longing.
Music and Popular Culture
In French popular music, the phrase cher ami recurs in song lyrics to denote camaraderie. The term is also prominent in the French-language translations of American romantic songs, where "Dear" is rendered as cher or chère. The translation preserves both the affectionate intent and the grammatical gender.
Media and Journalism
Newspapers and magazines often begin editorial letters with cher lecteur ("Dear reader") to establish a conversational tone. The practice underscores the term's versatility across formal and informal media.
Notable Examples
Historical Letters
One of the most famous uses of cher appears in the correspondence between the French mathematician Évariste Galois and his friend. The opening salutation, Mon cher Georges,, exemplifies the intimate style of the era.
Modern Corporate Communication
In corporate newsletters, a typical salutation may read Chère cliente, cher client, indicating a broad audience. This usage demonstrates how the term adapts to contemporary marketing needs.
Legal Documents
French legal texts rarely use cher in their formal structure, yet occasional personal notes or addenda within legal correspondence may incorporate it for courteous address.
See Also
Adjectival Agreement in French, French Letter Writing Conventions, Comparative Romance Language Grammar, Value and Cost in French Adjectives, Affectionate Terms Across Cultures
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