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A1 adjective #1,500 mais comum 7 min de leitura

cher/chère

Top 1,500

Pratique Exemplos Notas e dicas cher/chère em 30 segundos

Explicação cher/chère in your Level:

At the A1 level, you primarily use 'cher' to talk about the price of things you buy. You learn to say 'C'est cher' (It's expensive) or 'Ce n'est pas cher' (It's not expensive). You also learn to use it in the feminine form 'chère' for feminine objects like 'une voiture' or 'une robe'. You might also see it at the beginning of a very simple letter or email, like 'Cher Marc'. The focus is on basic agreement and the most common meaning: money.

At the A2 level, you begin to use 'cher' in more varied sentences. You might compare prices using 'plus cher que' (more expensive than) or 'moins cher que' (less expensive than). You also become more comfortable with the plural forms 'chers' and 'chères'. You start to notice that 'cher' can be used with the verb 'coûter' (coûter cher) and you learn that in this case, it doesn't change its ending. You also use it more frequently in formal correspondence.

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At the B1 level, you master the dual meaning of 'cher' based on its position. You understand that 'un cher ami' is a dear friend, while 'un voyage cher' is an expensive trip. You can use it to express more complex thoughts about the cost of living or the value of personal items. You also start to use common expressions like 'chercher plus cher' or 'vendre cher sa peau'. Your understanding of the nuances between 'cher', 'coûteux', and 'onéreux' begins to develop.

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At the B2 level, you use 'cher' with more sophistication. You can discuss abstract concepts like 'payer cher pour ses erreurs' (to pay dearly for one's mistakes). You are comfortable with its use in various registers, from the very formal 'Chère consœur' to the colloquial 'ça coûte une blinde' (a synonym for 'très cher'). You understand how 'cher' functions in idiomatic expressions and can use it to add emphasis or emotion to your arguments in both writing and speaking.

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At the C1 level, you appreciate the stylistic uses of 'cher'. You might encounter it in literature where its placement is used for poetic effect. You understand the historical and cultural weight of the word in French society, such as in the term 'la vie chère' and its political implications. You can use 'cher' to convey subtle irony or deep respect. Your use of the word is natural, and you effortlessly navigate between its financial and affective meanings in complex discourse.

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At the C2 level, your mastery of 'cher' is complete. You can use it in all its shades of meaning, including rare or archaic uses found in classical literature. You are aware of the subtle differences in connotation when 'cher' is used in different francophone regions. You can use it to create nuanced rhetorical effects and understand its role in the most complex idiomatic and metaphorical structures of the French language.

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Pratique Exemplos Notas e dicas

cher/chère em 30 segundos

Cher means 'expensive' when placed after the noun (une voiture chère).
Cher means 'dear' or 'beloved' when placed before the noun (mon cher ami).
It is used as an invariable adverb with the verb 'coûter' (ça coûte cher).
It must agree in gender and number with the noun it describes as an adjective.

The word cher is one of the most essential adjectives in the French language, primarily because it touches upon two fundamental aspects of human life: economy and emotion. At its core, it signifies that something has a high value. However, the nature of that value—whether it is the balance in your bank account or the love in your heart—depends entirely on how you use it in a sentence. For a beginner (A1), the most common encounter with this word will be in the context of shopping and prices. When you walk through the streets of Paris and look at a designer boutique window, you might sigh and say, 'C'est trop cher !' (It's too expensive!).

Financial Value: When placed after the noun, 'cher' indicates that an object has a high price tag. It is the opposite of 'bon marché' (cheap).

Cette voiture est vraiment chère.

Beyond the price tag, 'cher' transitions into the realm of affection. This is where the word becomes 'dear'. If you are writing a letter or an email, you will almost always start with 'Cher' followed by a name. This usage is formal yet warm, establishing a connection between the speaker and the recipient. It is important to note that in this emotional context, the adjective almost always precedes the noun. This distinction is a classic example of how French adjective placement can fundamentally alter the meaning of a sentence, a concept that learners will refine as they progress to higher CEFR levels.

Emotional Value: When placed before the noun, it expresses affection or formality, similar to 'dear' in English correspondence.

Chère Marie, comment vas-tu ?

Using 'cher' correctly requires a basic understanding of French adjective agreement and placement. As an adjective, it must agree in gender (masculine/feminine) and number (singular/plural) with the noun it modifies. The masculine singular is cher, the feminine singular is chère, the masculine plural is chers, and the feminine plural is chères. While the 's' in the plural forms is usually silent, the transition from 'cher' to 'chère' involves a slight opening of the vowel sound and a more distinct 'r' sound in careful speech, though in rapid conversation they sound nearly identical.

Placement Rules: 1. Expensive: Noun + Cher (Une montre chère). 2. Dear: Cher + Noun (Mon cher ami).

Mes chers parents m'ont acheté un cadeau cher.

Another crucial usage is the adverbial form. In the phrase 'ça coûte cher' (that costs a lot/is expensive), 'cher' acts as an adverb modifying the verb 'coûter'. In this specific case, 'cher' is invariable, meaning it never changes to 'chère' or 'chers', regardless of what is being discussed. This is a common trap for students. You would say 'Les fleurs coûtent cher', not 'coûtent chères'. Understanding this distinction between the adjective (describing the noun) and the adverb (describing the cost) is a major step toward fluency.

Le loyer à Paris coûte très cher.

You will hear 'cher' in almost every corner of French life. In the bustling markets of Provence or the supermarkets of Lille, shoppers constantly compare prices. Phrases like 'C'est pas cher !' (It's not expensive / It's a bargain!) are common refrains among bargain hunters. Conversely, in luxury boutiques on the Champs-Élysées, the word might be whispered with a sense of prestige. The word is also a staple of French media; news reports often discuss 'la vie chère' (the high cost of living), a recurring social and political theme in France.

Daily Life: Shopping, discussing bills, and commenting on the economy.

Les fruits sont moins chers au marché qu'au supermarché.

In the social sphere, 'cher' is the language of connection. At a wedding, a best man might start his speech with 'Mes chers amis'. In a romantic context, though 'mon chéri' or 'ma chérie' are more common as nouns, the adjective 'cher' still carries a weight of deep value. You might hear someone describe a lost heirloom as 'un objet qui m'est très cher' (an object very dear to me). This dual presence in both the wallet and the heart makes 'cher' a uniquely resonant word in the French auditory landscape.

C'est un souvenir qui me tient à cœur et qui m'est très cher.

One of the most frequent errors for English speakers is the incorrect placement of 'cher'. Because 'expensive' and 'dear' are two different words in English, learners often forget that in French, the position of 'cher' dictates the meaning. If you say 'un cher livre', you are saying the book is dear to your heart, even if you meant to say it was expensive. To say it was expensive, you must say 'un livre cher'. This subtle shift is a common point of confusion that can lead to unintended sentimentality or accidental coldness.

Agreement Errors: Forgetting to add the 'e' for feminine nouns or the 's' for plural nouns in writing.

Incorrect: Cette robe est cher. Correct: Cette robe est chère.

Another mistake involves the adverbial use with the verb coûter. As mentioned previously, when 'cher' describes the action of costing, it does not agree with the subject. Many students see a feminine subject and instinctively want to make 'cher' feminine. For example, 'La viande coûte chère' is incorrect. The correct form is 'La viande coûte cher'. Finally, avoid overusing 'cher' for 'dear' in very casual speech; while common in letters, calling a casual acquaintance 'mon cher' can sometimes sound overly formal or even slightly patronizing depending on the tone.

Attention: Les billets coûtent cher (not chers).

To enrich your vocabulary, it's helpful to look at synonyms and related terms for 'cher'. When you want to sound more formal or precise about high costs, you might use onéreux. This word specifically refers to things that are burdensome in price. Another alternative is coûteux, which is a direct synonym for 'expensive' and often used in more technical or professional contexts. On the emotional side, if 'cher' isn't strong enough, you might use précieux (precious) or aimé (loved).

Cher vs. Onéreux: 'Cher' is common and versatile; 'Onéreux' is formal and implies a heavy financial burden.

Cette rénovation est très onéreuse.

In terms of antonyms, the most common opposite of 'cher' (expensive) is bon marché (cheap/inexpensive). Interestingly, 'bon marché' is an invariable phrase, meaning it doesn't change for gender or number. Another option is accessible, which suggests that the price is reasonable for most people. If you are looking for the opposite of 'cher' (dear), you might use indifférent or détesté, though these are much stronger and less direct opposites. Understanding these nuances allows you to choose the exact 'flavor' of value you wish to communicate.

Cher vs. Précieux: 'Cher' can be emotional or financial; 'Précieux' usually implies a very high emotional or intrinsic worth.

How Formal Is It?

Nível de dificuldade

Gramática essencial

Adjective agreement

Adjective placement

Comparatives and Superlatives

Adverbs from adjectives

Liaison with plural adjectives

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Exemplos por nível

C'est trop cher pour moi.

It's too expensive for me.

Use of 'trop' (too) to modify 'cher'.

Le café n'est pas cher ici.

The coffee is not expensive here.

Negative construction 'ne...pas'.

Cette robe est très chère.

This dress is very expensive.

Feminine agreement: 'robe' is feminine, so 'chère'.

Cher Papa, je t'aime.

Dear Dad, I love you.

Before the noun, it means 'dear'.

Les chaussures sont chères.

The shoes are expensive.

Plural agreement: 'chaussures' is feminine plural, so 'chères'.

Mon sac est cher.

My bag is expensive.

Masculine singular agreement.

C'est un cadeau cher.

It's an expensive gift.

Adjective follows the noun.

Chère Marie, comment ça va ?

Dear Marie, how are you?

Feminine singular 'dear'.

Ce restaurant est plus cher que l'autre.

This restaurant is more expensive than the other one.

Comparative 'plus...que'.

Voyager en train coûte cher.

Traveling by train is expensive.

'Cher' as an adverb after 'coûter'.

Mes chers amis, bienvenue !

My dear friends, welcome!

Plural 'dear' before the noun.

C'est moins cher en ligne.

It's less expensive online.

Comparative 'moins...que'.

Cette montre est trop chère pour mon budget.

This watch is too expensive for my budget.

Feminine singular agreement.

Il a acheté des vêtements chers.

He bought expensive clothes.

Masculine plural agreement.

Chers collègues, voici le rapport.

Dear colleagues, here is the report.

Formal address.

L'essence coûte de plus en plus cher.

Gas is costing more and more.

Adverbial use.

C'est un cher souvenir de mon enfance.

It's a dear memory from my childhood.

Position before the noun for emotional value.

Cette erreur lui a coûté cher.

This mistake cost him dearly.

Figurative use of 'coûter cher'.

Elle a perdu un être cher.

She lost a loved one.

'Être cher' is a fixed expression for 'loved one'.

Le loyer est devenu trop cher dans cette ville.

Rent has become too expensive in this city.

Adjective describing the noun 'loyer'.

Mon cher, vous faites erreur.

My dear (sir), you are mistaken.

Used as a slightly formal/ironic address.

C'est une montre qui m'est chère.

It's a watch that is dear to me.

Emotional value after the verb 'être'.

Ils vendent leurs produits très cher.

They sell their products very dearly/expensively.

Adverbial use with 'vendre'.

Chères toutes et chers tous, bonjour.

Dear all (feminine and masculine), hello.

Inclusive formal address.

La liberté est un bien très cher.

Freedom is a very precious asset.

Abstract use of 'cher'.

Il a payé cher sa trahison.

He paid dearly for his betrayal.

Metaphorical cost.

C'est une victoire chèrement acquise.

It is a dearly won victory.

Related adverb 'chèrement'.

Le projet s'avère plus cher que prévu.

The project is proving to be more expensive than expected.

Use of 's'avérer'.

Ma chère et tendre, je t'écris ces mots.

My dear and tender one, I write these words to you.

Poetic/Romantic expression.

L'immobilier est devenu hors de prix, c'est bien trop cher.

Real estate has become overpriced; it's far too expensive.

Synonym 'hors de prix'.

Il tient à son honneur plus qu'à tout, c'est ce qu'il a de plus cher.

He values his honor more than anything; it's his most precious possession.

Superlative 'le plus cher'.

Cette plaisanterie risque de vous coûter cher.

This joke might cost you dearly.

Warning of consequences.

Le gouvernement s'attaque au problème de la vie chère.

The government is tackling the problem of the high cost of living.

'La vie chère' is a specific socio-economic term.

C'est une amitié qui m'est particulièrement chère.

It is a friendship that is particularly dear to me.

Nuanced emotional expression.

Vendre cher sa peau est une question d'honneur.

To sell one's life dearly is a matter of honor.

Idiom: 'vendre cher sa peau'.

L'onéreuse gestion de ce dossier nous coûte cher en temps.

The costly management of this file is costing us dearly in time.

Using both 'onéreuse' and 'cher'.

Mon cher et illustre confrère, je vous salue.

My dear and illustrious colleague, I greet you.

Highly formal academic register.

Rien n'est plus cher aux yeux d'un parent que son enfant.

Nothing is more precious in the eyes of a parent than their child.

Comparative structure with emotional weight.

Cette réforme a été payée au prix fort, bien trop cher pour les citoyens.

This reform was paid for at a high price, far too dearly for the citizens.

Political commentary.

Il a fallu renoncer à ce projet, car il revenait trop cher.

The project had to be abandoned because it was becoming too expensive.

Use of 'revenir' meaning 'to cost'.

L'esthétique de ce film, bien que chère à l'auteur, n'a pas convaincu.

The film's aesthetic, although dear to the author, did not convince.

Subordinate clause with 'chère à'.

Il a fallu marchander ferme, car le marchand en demandait trop cher.

It was necessary to bargain hard because the merchant was asking too much for it.

Adverbial use with 'en demander'.

Cette terre nous est chère, elle est le berceau de nos ancêtres.

This land is dear to us; it is the cradle of our ancestors.

High literary register.

L'impétrant a dû payer de sa personne, et ce fut cher payé.

The candidate had to give of himself, and it was a high price to pay.

Idiom 'payer de sa personne'.

Une telle outrecuidance lui coûtera cher, je m'y emploierai.

Such insolence will cost him dearly; I will see to it.

Formal/Threatening register.

Le poète évoque ses chères études avec une nostalgie poignante.

The poet evokes his dear studies with poignant nostalgia.

Literary use of 'chères'.

Le luxe n'est pas tant ce qui est cher que ce qui est rare.

Luxury is not so much what is expensive as what is rare.

Philosophical comparison.

Elle a su préserver ce qui lui était le plus cher au milieu du chaos.

She knew how to preserve what was most dear to her in the midst of chaos.

Relative clause with superlative.

Colocações comuns

coûter cher

vendre cher

payer cher

mon cher

ma chère

être cher à

la vie chère

un être cher

mes chers amis

trop cher

Frases Comuns

C'est trop cher.

Mon cher ami.

Ça coûte cher.

Un être cher.

Chère Madame.

Cher Monsieur.

La vie est chère.

Payer cher.

Pas cher.

Plus cher que.

Frequentemente confundido com

cher/chère vs chair (flesh/meat - pronounced similarly)

cher/chère vs chaire (pulpit - pronounced similarly)

cher/chère vs chercher (to look for - different meaning)

Expressões idiomáticas

"Vendre cher sa peau"

"Payer cher pour voir"

"Il me le paiera cher"

"Chercher midi à quatorze heures (unrelated but uses 'chercher')"

"Coûter les yeux de la tête (synonym idiom)"

"Ne pas donner cher de quelque chose"

"C'est cher payé"

"Mon cher et tendre"

"Tenir cher à"

"Faire cher quelque chose"

Fácil de confundir

cher/chère vs chair

Means flesh or meat, pronounced the same.

cher/chère vs chaire

Means a pulpit or a university chair, pronounced the same.

cher/chère vs chercher

A verb meaning 'to look for'.

cher/chère vs chéri

A noun meaning 'darling' or 'sweetheart'.

cher/chère vs onéreux

A more formal synonym for expensive.

Padrões de frases

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Como usar

chéri

While 'cher' is an adjective, 'chéri' is the common noun for 'darling'.

mon cher

Can be used as a noun-like address: 'Oui, mon cher.'

Erros comuns

Using 'chère' after 'coûter' for a feminine noun.
Placing 'cher' before the noun when you mean 'expensive'.
Forgetting the feminine 'e' in 'chère' when describing a feminine object.
Forgetting the 's' in plural written forms.
Confusing the pronunciation with 'chair' (though they are homophones, context is vital).

Dicas

Agreement check

Always look at the noun's gender. If it's feminine, add an 'e' to make it 'chère'. This is the most common mistake for beginners.

Position matters

Remember: Before = Heart (Dear), After = Wallet (Expensive). This simple rule will save you from many misunderstandings.

Adverbial 'cher'

When using the verb 'coûter', never change 'cher'. It's always 'ça coûte cher', 'elles coûtent cher', 'ils coûtent cher'.

Formal letters

Start your formal letters with 'Cher Monsieur' or 'Chère Madame'. It's the gold standard for French correspondence.

Expand your 'expensive'

Once you master 'cher', try using 'onéreux' in your writing to sound more sophisticated and academic.

The 'Pas Cher' habit

French people love a good deal. Don't be afraid to use 'C'est pas cher' when you find a bargain; it's a very natural expression.

The Liaison

In 'Chers amis', the 's' is not silent. It makes a 'z' sound connecting to 'amis'. Practice saying 'cher-z-ami'.

Visual cue

Imagine a price tag hanging *behind* a car (cher after) and a heart held *in front* of a friend (cher before).

Paying the price

Learn 'Il me le paiera cher' (He will pay dearly for this). it's a great dramatic phrase to know for movies and books.

Cher vs Chercher

Don't confuse the adjective 'cher' with the verb 'chercher' (to look for). They are related but used very differently.

Memorize

Origem da palavra

Latin

Contexto cultural

Bargaining is rare in stores but common in 'brocantes' (flea markets).

Always use 'Cher' or 'Chère' in formal letters.

Avoid calling someone 'mon cher' unless you are close or being intentionally formal.

Pratique na vida real

Contextos reais

Iniciadores de conversa

"Est-ce que la vie est chère dans ta ville ?"

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

"Est-ce que tu trouves que ce restaurant est cher ?"

"Qu'est-ce qui t'est le plus cher au monde ?"

"Est-ce que les vêtements sont chers dans ton pays ?"

Temas para diário

Décris un objet qui t'est très cher.

Est-ce que tu préfères acheter des choses chères ou bon marché ?

Écris une lettre à un cher ami.

Parle d'une fois où tu as payé trop cher pour quelque chose.

La vie est-elle plus chère aujourd'hui qu'avant ?

Perguntas frequentes

10 perguntas

No, it only means expensive when it follows the noun. When it precedes the noun, it usually means 'dear' or 'beloved'. This is a crucial distinction in French grammar. For example, 'un ami cher' is an expensive friend (perhaps one who costs you money), while 'un cher ami' is a dear friend.

In modern French, they are pronounced almost identically as /ʃɛʁ/. The 'r' is vocalized in both. Historically, there might have been a slight difference in vowel length, but for most learners, focusing on the same pronunciation for both is perfectly acceptable and natural.

Yes, but usually before the noun. 'Mon cher ami' or 'Ma chère mère'. If you say 'Cet homme est cher', it sounds like you are saying he is expensive to hire or maintain, which is quite different from saying he is dear to you.

Because in this sentence, 'cher' is acting as an adverb modifying the verb 'coûter'. In French, adverbs are invariable. Therefore, even though 'voiture' is feminine, 'cher' stays in its masculine singular form.

The most common opposite for 'expensive' is 'bon marché' (cheap). For 'dear', the opposite would be 'indifférent' or 'détesté', though 'cher' in the sense of 'dear' is rarely used with a direct opposite in the same way.

Yes, 'Cher Monsieur' or 'Chère Madame' followed by their last name is the standard professional way to begin a formal email or letter in French. It is respectful and conventional.

Yes, it is perfectly neutral and polite. It is the standard way to say something is inexpensive or a good deal. You can use it in shops, with friends, or in business.

It is a common French expression referring to the high cost of living. You will see it in news headlines regarding inflation, rent increases, or the price of groceries.

Yes, the masculine plural is 'chers' and the feminine plural is 'chères'. You must use these when describing multiple items or people, such as 'des bijoux chers' or 'mes chères sœurs'.

Absolutely. You can say 'Le poisson est cher aujourd'hui' (The fish is expensive today). It is very common in culinary and market contexts.

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