How to say "dear" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 懐かしいなつかしいi-adjectiveCovers 'dear' in the sense of an old, fondly remembered person, place, or time; the feeling is nostalgia and longing. Use it for one's hometown, school days, or a childhood friend one misses.
- 愛しいいとしいi-adjectiveCovers 'dear' as an outpouring of affection: a beloved or darling person held close to the heart. It voices tender, emotional attachment — the way one speaks or thinks of someone deeply loved.
- 拝啓はいけいnounThis is 'Dear' only as the salutation that opens a formal letter: Dear Sir, Dear Madam, or Dear (so and so). It is never used for the emotional senses; it belongs to correspondence alone.
- pronounHere あなた is the familiar endearment 'dear' or 'honey', used between spouses or partners as a term of address. The word is usually written in kana alone, and it also serves as the ordinary pronoun 'you'.
- i-adjectiveCovers 'dear' in the sense of endearing and adorable: a dear little child, a pet, or anything precious and cute. The emphasis is on charm and cuteness rather than deep affection.
There is no single Japanese 'dear': 「懐かしい」 is for fondly missed old things, 「愛しい」 for beloved people, 拝啓 opens formal letters, 「あなた」 addresses one's partner, and 「かわいい」 means endearingly cute.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
- 懐かしいなつかしいdear (old)
- 愛しいいとしいlovely
- 拝啓はいけいDear (so and so)
- 御前おんまえDear
- 小ぐゎーsmall
- めんこいdear
- 慕わしいしたわしいdear
- 懐かしなつかしdear (old)
- 粛啓しゅくけいDear (name)
- 愛しきいとしきdear
- なついdear (old)
- 愛しのいとしのdear
- なちいdear (old)
- ディアdear
- 愛おしいいとおしいlovely
- 愛まなbeloved
- 開発教育協会かいはつきょういくきょうかいDevelopment Education Association & Resource Center
- あなたdear
- かわいいdear
- 大切たいせつprecious
- 惜しいおしいprecious
- 親愛しんあいdear
- かわゆいdear
- 拝呈はいていDear (so and so)
- 座下ざかDear (Mr./Mrs.)
- 母ちゃんかあちゃんwifey
- 上うえhonorable
See also
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