How do you use "My dear" in a sentence?

My dear, you shouldn't have. My dear boy. Yes, my dear.

My dear

Q: What does "My dear" mean?

Term of endearment, often older to younger (traditional). 'My dear' is gentle, often older-to-younger or traditional romantic address. 'My dear boy/girl' from elderly person. 'My dear' between partners sounds traditional.

Slang Term BritishAmerican ★★★★☆ Common Neutral

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Meaning: Term of endearment, often older to younger (traditional).

昵称，常用于长辈对晚辈（传统用法）。

Término cariñoso, a menudo de mayor a menor (tradicional).

愛称、年長者から年少者へよく使われる（伝統的）。

애칭, 주로 연장자가 연소자에게 사용 (전통적).

'My dear' is gentle, often older-to-younger or traditional romantic address. 'My dear boy/girl' from elderly person. 'My dear' between partners sounds traditional.

'My dear'是温和的表达，常用于长辈对晚辈或传统的恋人之间。老年人说'My dear boy/girl'。伴侣间的'My dear'听起来很传统。

'My dear' es suave, a menudo de mayor a menor o como forma tradicional de dirigirse a la pareja. 'My dear boy/girl' de una persona mayor. 'My dear' entre parejas suena tradicional.

「My dear」は優しい表現で、年長者から年少者への呼びかけや、伝統的な恋人同士の呼びかけに使う。お年寄りからの「My dear boy/girl」。パートナー間の「My dear」は伝統的な響き。

'My dear'는 부드러운 표현으로, 주로 어른이 젊은 사람에게 또는 전통적인 연인 사이에서 사용한다. 'My dear boy/girl'은 어르신이 쓰는 표현이고, 연인 사이에서 'my dear'는 전통적인 느낌을 준다.

Examples

My dear, you shouldn't have.
亲爱的，你不必这样的
Querido/a, no tenías que hacerlo
まあ、そんなことしなくてよかったのに
이런, 그러지 않아도 됐는데.
My dear boy.
好孩子
Querido muchacho
坊や
얘야.
Yes, my dear.
好的，亲爱的
Sí, querido/a
ええ、あなた
그래, 여보.

Pronunciation

/maɪ dɪə/

Usage Guide

Context: affection, traditional, formal

Tone: warm, traditional

✓ Do Say

My dear
亲爱的
querido/a
あなた、お前さん
마이 디어
My dear friend
亲爱的朋友
querido/a amigo/a
親愛なる友よ
마이 디어 친구

✗ Don't Say

Sounds old-fashioned to younger people
对年轻人来说听起来老派
Suena anticuado para la gente joven
若い人には古臭く聞こえる
젊은 사람에게는 구식으로 들림

Common Mistakes

Traditional—can sound dated

Origin & History

Traditional English term of endearment. 'Dear' has been used for loved ones since Old English. 'My dear' formalises the affection.

Etymology: From dear (beloved)

First recorded: Old English onwards

Cultural Context

Era: Traditional English

Generation: Older generations

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: Period dramas; Traditional speech

Regional notes: Traditional English.

Variations

My dearDear