French · People & Family
"Sweetheart (honey)" in French: mon chéri / ma chérie
mon chéri / ma chérie
Sweetheart in French is mon chéri for a man and ma chérie for a woman. Use it with a partner or sometimes family. Match mon/ma and the ending to who you address.
Calling home
Ma chérie, tu rentres à quelle heure ?Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce mon chéri / ma chérie
Say it
shay-REE / shay-REE
/ʃe.ʁi/ /ʃe.ʁi/
Chéri is shay-REE. Chérie adds a light final uh: shay-REE. Ch is sh; é is ay.
"Sweetheart (honey)" in French: quick reference
| French | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| mon chéri | my sweetheart (to a man) Addressing a male partner. | Addressing a male partner. |
| ma chérie | my sweetheart (to a woman) Addressing a female partner. | Addressing a female partner. |
| chéri / chérie | darling / honey Without mon/ma sometimes. | Without mon/ma sometimes. |
| mon cœur | my heart / sweetheart Alternative pet name. | Alternative pet name. |
How to use mon chéri / ma chérie in real life
- 1Calling home
Ma chérie, tu rentres à quelle heure ?
Sweetheart, what time are you getting home?
Ma chérie.
- 2Soft thanks
Merci mon chéri, c'est parfait.
Thanks sweetheart, that's perfect.
Mon chéri.
- 3Text sign-off
Bonne journée ma chérie.
Have a good day, sweetheart.
Warm closing.
Mistakes English speakers make with mon chéri / ma chérie
Incorrect: Mon chérie (to a woman).
Correct: Ma chérie.
Feminine takes ma chérie.
Incorrect: Ma chéri (to a man).
Correct: Mon chéri.
Masculine takes mon chéri.
Good to know
Chéri/chérie is everyday couple language in France—less formal than mon amour, more intimate than a first name alone. Parents may also use it with young kids.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Packing for a trip
ChatPal
Mon chéri, tu as pris les passeports ?
Sweetheart, did you grab the passports?
You
Oui ma chérie, ils sont dans mon sac.
Yes sweetheart, they're in my bag.
ChatPal
On est bons alors.
We're good then.
You
Direction la gare.
Off to the station.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Sweetheart (honey)" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Sweetheart (honey)" in French
How do you say sweetheart in French?
Mon chéri (m) or ma chérie (f).
Which one do I use?
Match the gender of the person you address.
Can I drop mon/ma?
Sometimes—chéri/chérie alone still works.
How do you pronounce chéri?
Shay-REE.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
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