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A1 adjective #600 가장 일반적인 10분 분량

Cher

상위 600

연습하기 예시 노트와 팁 Cher 30초 만에

설명 Cher in your Level:

At the A1 level, you will primarily use 'cher' to talk about the price of everyday items and to start simple letters. You should know that 'cher' means expensive and 'pas cher' means cheap. You will also learn to use 'Cher...' or 'Chère...' at the beginning of a message to a friend or family member. The main focus here is basic gender agreement: 'un livre cher' (masculine) vs 'une voiture chère' (feminine). You don't need to worry about complex adverbs yet, just focus on these two primary uses in simple sentences like 'C'est cher' or 'Mon cher ami'. You will likely encounter this word when shopping for food, clothes, or souvenirs during your first trips to a French-speaking country. It is a vital survival word for managing your budget.

At the A2 level, you begin to use 'cher' in comparisons. You will learn structures like 'plus cher que' (more expensive than) and 'moins cher que' (less expensive than). You also start to use the adverbial form 'coûter cher' to describe the cost of activities or habits. You should be comfortable making 'cher' agree in the plural: 'des vêtements chers' or 'des fleurs chères'. You will also notice that 'cher' can be used to express a bit more emotion in social contexts, such as 'mes chers collègues'. At this level, you should be able to describe your preferences and justify them based on price, for example: 'Je préfère ce vélo car il est moins cher que l'autre.'

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At the B1 level, you use 'cher' in more varied contexts, including abstract ones. You might talk about the 'vie chère' (high cost of living) or express that something 'coûte cher' in terms of time or effort. You are expected to handle the invariable nature of 'cher' when used as an adverb with verbs like 'payer' or 'vendre'. You will also start to distinguish 'cher' from more formal synonyms like 'coûteux'. Your ability to use 'cher' in correspondence should become more nuanced, knowing when 'Cher Monsieur' is appropriate versus a more casual greeting. You can now participate in discussions about the economy or personal finances using this word and its derivatives.

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At the B2 level, you should have a firm grasp of the nuances of 'cher'. You can use it in idiomatic expressions like 'chercher midi à quatorze heures' (though 'cher' here is part of the verb 'chercher', learners often confuse them, so distinguishing them is key). You will use 'cher' to describe complex social situations, such as 'une victoire chèrement acquise' (a dearly bought victory). You understand the stylistic choice of placing 'cher' before or after a noun to change the meaning entirely. Your written French should reflect a sophisticated use of 'cher' and its feminine/plural forms, and you should be able to use it to convey irony or specific degrees of affection in formal and informal writing.

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At the C1 level, 'cher' is used with precision in literary and professional contexts. You understand its use in classical French literature where it might appear in more archaic or highly formal structures. You can analyze the impact of 'cher' in political rhetoric, such as discussions on 'le pouvoir d'achat' and 'la vie chère'. You are also aware of the etymological roots of the word and how it relates to 'charity' (caritas) and 'care'. You can use 'cher' to express subtle shades of meaning, such as the difference between 'un cher souvenir' and 'un souvenir cher', and you can seamlessly integrate it into complex argumentative essays or professional reports.

무료 가입하고 전체 설명 읽기

At the C2 level, you have a near-native command of 'cher'. You can use it in all its forms, including rare or poetic uses. You understand the historical evolution of the word from the Latin 'carus'. You can use 'cher' to create specific rhetorical effects in high-level discourse. You are also fully aware of all its homophones (chair, chaire, chœur - though the latter is different, the 'ch' sound is a focus) and never confuse them in writing. You can play with the word's dual meaning for puns or double entendres in sophisticated conversation. Your use of 'cher' is perfectly adapted to every possible register, from the most technical economic analysis to the most intimate personal poetry.

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연습하기 예시 노트와 팁

Cher 30초 만에

Cher means 'expensive' when it follows a noun (un sac cher) and 'dear' when it precedes a noun (mon cher ami).
The feminine form is 'chère', the masculine plural is 'chers', and the feminine plural is 'chères'.
In the phrase 'coûter cher', it acts as an adverb and does not change its form regardless of the subject.
It is the standard word for starting letters (Cher Monsieur) and discussing high prices in daily life.

The French word cher is a versatile adjective that every beginner must master, as it carries two distinct but related meanings depending on its context and position in a sentence. Primarily, it translates to 'expensive' or 'costly' when referring to financial value. However, it also translates to 'dear' or 'beloved' when expressing emotional value or affection. Understanding the duality of cher is essential for navigating both the marketplace and social relationships in French-speaking cultures.

Financial Value: When placed after a noun, cher usually indicates that something costs a lot of money. For example, 'un restaurant cher' is an expensive restaurant. In this context, it describes the objective price tag of an item or service.

Ce sac à main est beaucoup trop cher pour mon budget actuel.

Emotional Value: When placed before a noun, cher typically signifies affection. 'Mon cher ami' means 'my dear friend.' It is the standard way to begin formal and informal letters or emails, much like 'Dear' in English.

In daily life, you will hear this word constantly. Whether you are browsing a boutique in Paris and whispering to a friend that a scarf is 'trop cher,' or writing a thank-you note to a 'chère grand-mère,' the word bridges the gap between the material world and the world of the heart. It is one of those rare words that captures the essence of what we value, whether that value is measured in Euros or in memories. Interestingly, the adverbial phrase 'coûter cher' (to cost a lot) is used frequently to describe not just money, but also the high price of mistakes or efforts. For instance, 'Cette erreur m'a coûté cher' implies a significant personal or professional cost.

Ma chère sœur m'a aidé à choisir ce cadeau, même s'il était un peu cher.

Grammatical Agreement: Masculine Singular: cher; Feminine Singular: chère; Masculine Plural: chers; Feminine Plural: chères. Note the grave accent on the 'e' in the feminine forms to maintain the open 'e' sound.

Les bijoux dans cette vitrine sont extrêmement chers.

Mes chers parents m'ont toujours soutenu dans mes projets.

Ultimately, cher is a foundational block of the French language. It allows you to express your needs, your limitations in a store, and your deepest affections for the people in your life. By mastering its placement and agreement, you move from a basic understanding to a more nuanced grasp of French expression.

Using cher correctly involves understanding its position relative to the noun and its role as either an adjective or an adverb. In French, most adjectives follow the noun, and when cher follows the noun, it almost always refers to price. However, when it precedes the noun, it takes on an affective meaning. This distinction is vital for clear communication.

After the Noun (Price): 'Un ordinateur cher' (An expensive computer). Here, the focus is on the cost. If you want to say something is 'very expensive,' you add 'très' before it: 'C'est très cher.'

Je ne peux pas acheter cette voiture, elle est trop chère.

Before the Noun (Affection): 'Mon cher ami' (My dear friend). This is used for people or things you hold dear. In a letter: 'Chère Marie' (Dear Marie). Note that you wouldn't say 'Un ami cher' to mean 'an expensive friend'—that sounds very strange!

When constructing sentences, pay close attention to the subject's gender. If you are talking about 'une maison' (feminine), you must use 'chère'. If you are talking about 'des vêtements' (masculine plural), use 'chers'. This agreement is a hallmark of French grammar and shows your attention to detail. In spoken French, the 'r' at the end of 'cher' is pronounced, and in 'chère', the 'r' is followed by a silent 'e', making the sound slightly more prolonged but very similar to the masculine form.

Les loyers à Paris sont devenus extrêmement chers ces dernières années.

Comparatives and Superlatives: To compare prices, use 'plus cher que' (more expensive than) or 'moins cher que' (less expensive than). For the superlative, use 'le plus cher' (the most expensive).

L'or est plus cher que l'argent.

C'est l'hôtel le plus cher de la ville.

In summary, the key to using cher is context. Ask yourself: Am I talking about money or feelings? Am I using it with 'coûter'? Is the noun masculine or feminine? Once you answer these, the correct form and position will follow naturally.

In the real world, cher is ubiquitous. If you walk through a French market, you'll hear shoppers muttering 'C'est trop cher !' as they look at the price of organic strawberries. In a high-end department store like Galeries Lafayette, the word is whispered with a mix of awe and hesitation. It is the pulse of commerce in the Francophone world.

In the Marketplace: Vendors might defend their prices by saying 'Ce n'est pas cher pour la qualité !' (It's not expensive for the quality!). You will also see signs for 'Moins cher' (Cheaper/Less expensive) during sales seasons.

Regarde ces chaussures, elles ne sont vraiment pas chères en ce moment.

In Correspondence: Every formal email or letter usually begins with 'Cher Monsieur' or 'Chère Madame'. Even in casual texts, friends might start with 'Ma chère' or 'Mon cher' to add a touch of warmth or irony.

You will also encounter cher in French literature and cinema. Classic protagonists often address their love interests as 'Ma chère' or 'Mon cher'. In modern French rap or slang, you might hear 'ça coûte une blinde' or 'c'est reuch' (verlan for 'cher'), but the standard 'cher' remains the most common and understood term across all generations and social classes. It is a word that transcends the boundaries of formal and informal speech, making it an essential tool for any learner.

Mon cher collègue, je vous écris pour confirmer notre réunion.

In the News: News headlines often use 'cher' when discussing inflation or the 'vie chère' (high cost of living). This is a major social and political topic in France.

Le gouvernement cherche des solutions contre la vie chère dans les départements d'outre-mer.

Voyager en train peut être cher si on ne réserve pas à l'avance.

Whether you are reading a menu, a newspaper, or a love letter, cher is there. It is a word that requires you to listen not just to the sound, but to the context of the conversation to truly understand the speaker's intent.

English speakers often encounter a few specific hurdles when using cher. The most common error involves the position of the adjective. In English, 'dear' and 'expensive' are different words, but in French, they are the same word in different positions. Placing cher before the noun when you mean 'expensive' is a frequent slip-up.

The Position Trap: Incorrect: 'J'ai acheté un cher livre.' (Sounds like you bought a 'dear' book, which is odd). Correct: 'J'ai acheté un livre cher.' (I bought an expensive book).

Attention : 'Un cher ami' n'est pas la même chose qu'un 'ami qui coûte cher' !

Agreement with 'Coûter': Many learners try to make cher agree with the subject when using the verb 'coûter'. However, in this case, cher is an adverb. Incorrect: 'Ces fleurs coûtent chères.' Correct: 'Ces fleurs coûtent cher.'

Another mistake is forgetting the feminine agreement in writing. While 'cher' and 'chère' sound very similar (the 'r' is slightly more pronounced in 'chère'), the spelling is crucial. 'Ma cher amie' is a common written error; it must be 'Ma chère amie'. Additionally, learners sometimes use 'cher' to mean 'expensive' for things that are actually 'onéreux' (onerous/very costly) or 'coûteux' in formal writing. While 'cher' is fine, using synonyms can make your French sound more sophisticated.

Elle a payé cher pour son impolitesse. (Adverbial use, no agreement).

Overusing 'Cher': In English, we might say 'That's a lot of money.' In French, beginners often just say 'C'est cher.' While correct, try 'C'est hors de prix' (It's overpriced/out of reach) for variety.

Cette robe est trop chère ; je vais attendre les soldes.

Mes chers enfants, venez ici un instant.

Finally, avoid using 'cher' when you mean 'valuable' in a technical sense. For a museum piece, 'précieux' is often better. 'Cher' implies a price tag or a personal bond, whereas 'précieux' implies intrinsic worth.

To truly enrich your French vocabulary, you should know the alternatives to cher. Depending on whether you want to sound more formal, more emphatic, or more emotional, there are several words you can use.

Coûteux / Onéreux: These are more formal synonyms for 'expensive'. 'Un projet coûteux' sounds more professional than 'un projet cher'. 'Onéreux' is often used in legal or administrative contexts.

L'entretien d'un château est extrêmement coûteux.

Hors de prix / Exorbitant: When something isn't just expensive but ridiculously so, use these. 'Hors de prix' literally means 'beyond price' (too expensive to consider). 'Exorbitant' is used just like in English.

In slang (argot), you might hear 'salé' (salty) to describe a high bill, or 'douiller' (a verb meaning to pay a lot/to hurt financially). Understanding these nuances allows you to tailor your speech to your audience. For example, in a business meeting, you would avoid 'cher' in favor of 'onéreux' to sound more objective and analytical.

L'addition était un peu salée ce soir au restaurant.

Bon marché / Abordable: These are the opposites. 'Bon marché' means cheap/good deal, and 'abordable' means affordable. Using these in contrast with 'cher' helps clarify your meaning.

Nous cherchons un appartement plus abordable en banlieue.

C'est un souvenir précieux de mon enfance.

By learning these synonyms and antonyms, you expand your expressive range. You can move from simply stating a price to describing the economic impact of a purchase or the deep sentimental value of an heirloom.

How Formal Is It?

재미있는 사실

The English word 'charity' comes from the same Latin root 'carus' (via 'caritas'), reflecting the idea of holding someone 'dear' through help and love.

발음 가이드

UK /ʃɛə/

US /ʃɛr/

The stress is on the single syllable 'cher'.

라임이 맞는 단어

Fer (iron) Mer (sea) Hier (yesterday) Air (air) Clair (clear) Pair (peer) Vers (towards - though spelled differently) Enfer (hell)

자주 하는 실수

Pronouncing it like 'chair' with a hard English 'r'.
Forgetting to pronounce the 'r' at all.
Confusing the pronunciation with 'chez' (which ends in an 'ay' sound).
Making the 'e' too long in the masculine form.
Not distinguishing the slight breathiness in the feminine 'chère'.

난이도

독해 1/5

Very easy to recognize in text, though the dual meaning requires context.

쓰기 2/5

Requires attention to gender/number agreement and the grave accent in 'chère'.

말하기 1/5

Simple pronunciation, though the 'r' can be tricky for beginners.

듣기 2/5

Must distinguish between 'cher' (expensive) and 'chercher' (to look for) in fast speech.

다음에 무엇을 배울까

선수 학습

C'est Un / Une Ami Livre Grand

다음에 배울 것

Coûter Payer Argent Prix Vendre

고급

Onéreux Dispendieux Chèrement Surenchère Exorbitant

알아야 할 문법

Adjective Agreement

Un sac cher, une montre chère, des sacs chers, des montres chères.

Adjective Position

Mon cher ami (affection) vs Un livre cher (price).

Adverbial Invariability

Ces fleurs coûtent cher (not chères).

Comparatives

L'or est plus cher que le fer.

Superlatives

C'est la robe la plus chère du magasin.

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수준별 예문

Ce café est très cher.

This coffee is very expensive.

Adjective follows the noun 'café' (masculine singular).

Chère Marie, comment vas-tu ?

Dear Marie, how are you?

Adjective precedes the noun 'Marie' (feminine singular) to show affection.

Le pain n'est pas cher.

The bread is not expensive.

Negative construction 'ne... pas' with 'cher'.

C'est trop cher pour moi.

It's too expensive for me.

Use of 'trop' (too) to intensify the adjective.

Mon cher papa, je t'aime.

My dear dad, I love you.

Possessive adjective 'mon' + 'cher' + masculine noun.

Cette robe est chère.

This dress is expensive.

Feminine singular agreement 'chère' for 'la robe'.

Les fruits sont chers ici.

The fruits are expensive here.

Masculine plural agreement 'chers' for 'les fruits'.

Cher Monsieur, voici mon billet.

Dear Sir, here is my ticket.

Formal greeting using 'Cher'.

Ce restaurant est plus cher que l'autre.

This restaurant is more expensive than the other one.

Comparative structure 'plus... que'.

Voyager en avion coûte cher.

Traveling by plane costs a lot.

'Cher' used as an adverb with 'coûter' (invariable).

Mes chers amis, bienvenue !

My dear friends, welcome!

Masculine plural agreement 'chers' used affectionately.

Cette montre est moins chère en ligne.

This watch is less expensive online.

Comparative structure 'moins... que'.

Les hôtels sont très chers en été.

Hotels are very expensive in summer.

Plural agreement 'chers' for 'les hôtels'.

Elle a acheté des chaussures chères.

She bought expensive shoes.

Feminine plural agreement 'chères' for 'les chaussures'.

C'est mon plus cher souvenir.

It is my dearest memory.

Superlative used affectionately before the noun.

L'essence devient de plus en plus chère.

Gasoline is becoming more and more expensive.

Progressive comparative 'de plus en plus'.

La vie est chère dans les grandes villes.

Life is expensive in big cities.

General statement about the 'cost of living'.

Il a payé cher pour sa nouvelle maison.

He paid a lot for his new house.

Adverbial use with 'payer'.

Ce sont des produits de luxe, donc ils sont chers.

They are luxury products, so they are expensive.

Logical consequence using 'donc'.

Ma chère collègue, pourriez-vous m'aider ?

My dear colleague, could you help me?

Professional but polite address.

Le temps, c'est ce que nous avons de plus cher.

Time is what we have that is most precious.

Abstract use of 'cher' meaning precious.

Cette erreur risque de nous coûter cher.

This mistake might cost us dearly.

Metaphorical use of 'coûter cher'.

Ils habitent dans un quartier très cher.

They live in a very expensive neighborhood.

Adjective modifying 'quartier'.

C'est une voiture d'occasion, elle n'est pas chère.

It's a used car, it's not expensive.

Contrast between 'occasion' and 'cher'.

Une liberté chèrement acquise ne doit pas être perdue.

A dearly acquired freedom must not be lost.

Use of the adverb 'chèrement'.

Il m'est cher de vous revoir après tant d'années.

It is dear to me to see you again after so many years.

Formal structure 'Il est [adjectif] de...'

Le gouvernement lutte contre la vie chère.

The government is fighting against the high cost of living.

Fixed expression 'la vie chère'.

Cette bague est un objet cher à mon cœur.

This ring is an object dear to my heart.

Idiomatic use 'cher à mon cœur'.

Vendre cher n'est pas toujours synonyme de qualité.

Selling at a high price is not always synonymous with quality.

Infinitive subject with adverbial 'cher'.

Mes chères sœurs, je vous confie ce secret.

My dear sisters, I entrust this secret to you.

Feminine plural affectionate use.

Le prix de l'immobilier est devenu exorbitant, bien trop cher.

Real estate prices have become exorbitant, far too expensive.

Use of 'exorbitant' as a synonym.

Il a payé cher son manque de préparation.

He paid dearly for his lack of preparation.

Metaphorical 'payer cher'.

La rareté d'un produit le rend inévitablement plus cher.

The rarity of a product inevitably makes it more expensive.

Economic principle expressed with 'cher'.

C'était un homme aux goûts chers et raffinés.

He was a man of expensive and refined tastes.

Adjective modifying 'goûts'.

Elle tenait à ses principes plus cher qu'à la vie même.

She held her principles dearer than life itself.

Comparative use in a literary context.

Le coût de l'inaction sera bien plus cher que celui de la réforme.

The cost of inaction will be much higher than that of the reform.

Abstract comparison of costs.

Mon cher et tendre époux, je t'écris ces quelques mots.

My dear and tender husband, I am writing these few words to you.

Highly affectionate formal opening.

L'inflation galopante rend les produits de base trop chers pour les plus démunis.

Galloping inflation makes basic products too expensive for the most destitute.

Sociopolitical context.

Cette victoire fut chèrement payée en vies humaines.

This victory was dearly paid for in human lives.

Passive voice with adverb 'chèrement'.

Il est cher aux yeux de la nation pour ses services rendus.

He is dear in the eyes of the nation for his services rendered.

Idiomatic 'cher aux yeux de'.

La polysémie du terme 'cher' permet des jeux de mots subtils en littérature.

The polysemy of the term 'cher' allows for subtle wordplay in literature.

Linguistic analysis of the word.

L'esthétique de l'objet, bien que cher, ne justifie pas son manque de fonctionnalité.

The aesthetics of the object, although expensive, do not justify its lack of functionality.

Concessive clause with 'bien que'.

Il s'agit d'une valeur chère à la philosophie existentialiste.

It is a value dear to existentialist philosophy.

Abstract philosophical application.

Chèrement, il regretta son arrogance passée.

Dearly, he regretted his past arrogance.

Adverbial start for emphasis.

Le faste de la cour royale rendait tout ce qui l'entourait démesurément cher.

The splendor of the royal court made everything around it disproportionately expensive.

Historical/literary description.

L'amitié est un trésor trop cher pour être gaspillé.

Friendship is a treasure too precious to be wasted.

Metaphorical use of 'cher' as precious.

On ne saurait trop insister sur le fait que la qualité coûte cher.

One cannot stress enough that quality comes at a high price.

Formal 'on ne saurait' construction.

Chères concitoyennes, chers concitoyens, je m'adresse à vous ce soir.

Dear fellow female citizens, dear fellow male citizens, I address you tonight.

Formal political address with gender inclusive forms.

자주 쓰는 조합

Coûter cher

La vie chère

Payer cher

Cher ami

Chère Madame

Vendre cher

Plus cher

Trop cher

Cher à mon cœur

Chèrement acquis

자주 쓰는 구문

C'est pas cher.

— It's cheap or a good deal. Very common in markets.

Regarde ces pommes, c'est pas cher !

Mon cher.

— A way to address a man affectionately or sometimes condescendingly. 'My dear.'

Mon cher, vous faites erreur.

Ça coûte cher.

— That is expensive. Used for both money and effort.

Apprendre le piano, ça coûte cher en temps.

Pas cher du tout.

— Not expensive at all. Emphasizes a bargain.

J'ai trouvé ce livre pour deux euros, pas cher du tout !

Chercher plus cher.

— To look for something more expensive (rare, but used in comparisons).

Si tu veux de la qualité, il faut chercher plus cher.

Chère amie.

— Dear friend (female). Standard greeting for a woman you know well.

Ma chère amie, je suis ravi de vous voir.

Un peu cher.

— A bit expensive. A polite way to say something is over budget.

C'est un peu cher pour ce que c'est.

Le plus cher.

— The most expensive one.

Quel est l'article le plus cher du magasin ?

Tout ce qu'il a de plus cher.

— Everything he holds most dear (usually family or values).

Il a perdu tout ce qu'il avait de plus cher.

Vendre sa peau cher.

— To put up a hard fight before losing. 'To sell one's skin dearly.'

L'équipe a perdu, mais elle a vendu sa peau cher.

자주 혼동되는 단어

Cher vs Chercher

The verb 'to look for'. Beginners often confuse 'Je cherche' with 'C'est cher'.

Cher vs Chair

Means 'flesh' or 'meat'. Sounds identical but spelled differently.

Cher vs Chaire

Means 'pulpit' or 'professorship'. Sounds identical.

관용어 및 표현

"Coûter les yeux de la tête"

— To cost an arm and a leg. To be extremely expensive.

Cette réparation va me coûter les yeux de la tête !

Informal

"Payer les pots cassés"

— To pay for the damage or take the blame (often 'paying dear' for it).

C'est toujours moi qui paie les pots cassés.

Neutral

"Vendre sa peau cher"

— To fight hard until the end.

Ils ont vendu leur peau cher lors du match.

Neutral

"Chercher midi à quatorze heures"

— To make something more complicated than it is (uses 'chercher', often confused).

Arrête de chercher midi à quatorze heures !

Informal

"Faire payer cher"

— To make someone pay dearly for something they did (revenge).

Je lui ferai payer cher cette trahison.

Neutral

"Cher à mon cœur"

— Very important or beloved to me.

Ce projet est cher à mon cœur.

Neutral

"La vie chère"

— The high cost of living as a social phenomenon.

La vie chère est le principal souci des Français.

Neutral

"Chèrement acquis"

— Something obtained with great effort or sacrifice.

C'est une liberté chèrement acquise.

Literary

"Mon cher et tendre"

— My dear and tender one (referring to a spouse).

Où est mon cher et tendre ?

Affectionate

"Il n'est rien de plus cher que..."

— There is nothing more precious than...

Il n'est rien de plus cher que la santé.

Formal

혼동하기 쉬운

Cher vs Chercher

Similar spelling and sound.

'Cher' is an adjective (expensive/dear), while 'chercher' is a verb (to look for).

Je cherche un livre qui n'est pas cher.

Cher vs Chair

Homophone (sounds the same).

'Chair' refers to physical flesh or meat, 'cher' refers to value.

La chair de cette pomme est tendre.

Cher vs Chaire

Homophone.

'Chaire' is a religious or academic platform.

Le professeur parle depuis sa chaire.

Cher vs Chœur

Similar 'ch' start.

'Chœur' means choir or chorus.

Le chœur chante dans l'église.

Cher vs Chez

Common preposition starting with 'ch'.

'Chez' means 'at the house of', 'cher' means expensive.

Je vais chez mon cher ami.

문장 패턴

C'est + [cher/pas cher].

C'est pas cher.

Cher/Chère + [Prénom].

Chère Sophie,

[Nom] + est plus cher que + [Nom].

Le train est plus cher que le bus.

Ça coûte + cher.

Ça coûte cher de vivre à Paris.

Un [Nom] + cher à mon cœur.

Un cadeau cher à mon cœur.

Payer cher pour + [Nom/Verbe].

Il a payé cher pour sa voiture.

La vie chère + [Verbe].

La vie chère inquiète les familles.

[Adverbe] + chèrement + [Participe Passé].

Une liberté chèrement acquise.

어휘 가족

명사

Cherté (high price/dearness)

Chéri (darling/sweetheart)

Chérie (darling/sweetheart - feminine)

동사

Chérir (to cherish/to love dearly)

Enchérir (to bid higher/to become more expensive)

형용사

Cher (expensive/dear)

Chéri (beloved)

사용법

frequency

Extremely high in both spoken and written French.

자주 하는 실수

Ces fleurs coûtent chères. → Ces fleurs coûtent cher.
With the verb 'coûter', 'cher' is an adverb and remains invariable.
J'ai un cher ami. → J'ai un ami cher. (or) Mon cher ami.
While 'mon cher ami' is correct for 'my dear friend', 'un cher ami' sounds slightly unnatural; 'un ami cher' is better for 'a dear friend'.
Ma cher mère. → Ma chère mère.
The adjective must agree with the feminine noun 'mère'.
C'est un cher livre. → C'est un livre cher.
To mean 'expensive', the adjective must follow the noun.
C'est plus bon marché. → C'est moins cher.
While 'plus bon marché' is technically understood, 'moins cher' is much more common and natural.

팁

The Grave Accent

In 'chère', the grave accent (è) is essential. It changes the sound of the 'e' to be open, like the 'e' in 'pet'. Without it, the word is misspelled and the pronunciation would technically change.

Position Matters

Remember the rule: HEART before, WALLET after. 'Mon cher ami' (heart/dear) vs 'Un vélo cher' (wallet/expensive). This is one of the few adjectives that changes meaning based on position.

Adverbial Invariance

When you use 'cher' with 'coûter', 'payer', or 'vendre', don't change it! 'Les maisons coûtent cher.' Even though 'maisons' is feminine plural, 'cher' stays exactly as it is.

Formal Letters

Always start formal letters with 'Cher Monsieur' or 'Chère Madame'. It's safer than 'Bonjour' in a professional French context until you know the person well.

Beyond 'Cher'

To sound more like a native, use 'hors de prix' for something crazy expensive. It adds more flavor to your speech than just saying 'très cher'.

The Market Shrug

In French markets, saying 'C'est cher' is often the start of a negotiation. Don't be afraid to use it if you think a price is too high!

Cher the Singer

Think of the singer Cher. She is 'dear' to her fans and probably has 'expensive' taste. This links both meanings to one name.

Plural Agreement

Don't forget the 's' for plural! 'Des bijoux chers'. Even if you don't hear the 's', it must be there in writing.

Context Clues

If you hear 'cher' at the very beginning of a sentence, it's likely a greeting. If you hear it at the end, it's likely about a price.

Comparing Prices

Use 'plus cher' for more expensive and 'moins cher' for cheaper. French doesn't have a single word like 'cheaper', so 'moins cher' is your best friend.

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기억법

Think of a 'CHErry'—it's a 'DEAR' fruit that can be 'EXPENSIVE' if bought out of season.

시각적 연상

Imagine a price tag shaped like a heart. One side has a dollar sign (expensive), and the other has a smiley face (dear).

Word Web

Prix (Price) Amour (Love) Argent (Money) Ami (Friend) Coûter (To cost) Lettre (Letter) Chérir (To cherish) Luxe (Luxury)

챌린지

Try to write three sentences: one using 'cher' for a price, one using 'chère' for a person, and one using 'coûter cher' for a mistake.

어원

Derived from the Latin word 'carus', which means 'dear', 'costly', or 'loved'. This Latin root has influenced many Romance languages.

원래 의미: The original meaning encompassed both high price and high emotional value, a duality that has survived for over two thousand years.

Indo-European > Italic > Romance > French.

문화적 맥락

Be careful when using 'cher' with people. 'Un ami cher' is fine, but 'Il est cher' (He is expensive) could imply he is high-maintenance or costs a lot of money to keep around!

English speakers often use 'expensive' and 'dear' as completely separate concepts, whereas French speakers see them as two sides of the same 'value' coin.

The phrase 'Mon cher ami' is frequently used in 19th-century French literature (Balzac, Flaubert). The singer 'Cher' (though American) has a name that sounds like the French word, often leading to puns in France. The 'Gilets Jaunes' protests were largely sparked by 'la vie chère'.

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실제 사용 상황

Shopping

C'est trop cher.
C'est pas cher.
Avez-vous quelque chose de moins cher ?
C'est le plus cher.

Writing Letters

Cher Monsieur,
Chère Marie,
Mes chers amis,
Mon cher Jean,

Expressing Affection

Mon cher.
Ma chère.
C'est un ami très cher.
C'est cher à mon cœur.

Economics

La vie chère.
L'inflation rend tout cher.
Le pétrole coûte cher.
Un investissement cher.

Consequences

Tu vas le payer cher !
Ça m'a coûté cher.
Une erreur qui coûte cher.
Chèrement payé.

대화 시작하기

"Trouves-tu que la vie est chère dans cette ville ?"

"Quel est l'objet le plus cher que tu as jamais acheté ?"

"Est-ce qu'il y a un souvenir qui est particulièrement cher à ton cœur ?"

"Préfères-tu acheter des choses chères de bonne qualité ou des choses pas chères ?"

"Est-ce que voyager en France coûte cher selon toi ?"

일기 주제

Décris un objet qui n'est pas cher mais qui est très cher à ton cœur.

Penses-tu que les choses les plus chères sont toujours les meilleures ? Pourquoi ?

Écris une lettre imaginaire à un cher ami que tu n'as pas vu depuis longtemps.

Raconte une fois où une erreur t'a coûté cher.

Imagine que tu gagnes beaucoup d'argent. Quelle chose chère achèterais-tu en premier ?

자주 묻는 질문

10 질문

No, it only means expensive when it follows the noun or is used with 'c'est'. When it comes before the noun, it usually means 'dear' or 'beloved'. For example, 'un livre cher' is expensive, but 'mon cher livre' is a book I love.

The feminine form is 'chère'. You must use it for feminine nouns like 'une voiture chère' or 'ma chère mère'. Don't forget the grave accent on the 'e'!

In the phrase 'coûter cher', the word 'cher' is acting as an adverb, not an adjective. Adverbs in French are invariable, meaning they never change for gender or number. So, it's always 'coûter cher'.

You say 'moins cher'. For example, 'Ce sac est moins cher que celui-là' (This bag is cheaper than that one). You can also use 'bon marché' for something that is a good deal.

It is neutral. It can be used in almost any context. However, in very formal writing, you might use 'onéreux' or 'coûteux' instead of 'cher' to describe high prices.

It's risky! If you say 'Il est cher', people might think you mean he costs a lot of money to maintain. To say someone is dear to you, use 'Il m'est cher' or 'C'est un ami cher'.

It is a common French expression referring to the high cost of living. You will see it in news headlines about inflation or protests over rising prices.

Use 'Cher Monsieur' or 'Chère Madame' followed by their last name if you are on semi-formal terms, or just the title if you want to be very formal. It's the standard professional greeting.

'Cher' usually implies a price tag or a personal emotional bond. 'Précieux' implies that something has high intrinsic value, like a diamond or a rare historical document.

Yes, in verlan (French back-slang), people say 'reuch'. You might hear young people say 'C'est trop reuch !' to mean 'It's too expensive!'

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