Chères

Chères is the feminine plural form of the French adjective cher, meaning dear or expensive. In modern use, it can express affection or respect when addressing a group, or describe feminine plural nouns as being costly. The meaning is determined by context.

Etymology and forms: Cher derives from Old French cher, from Latin carus, meaning dear or precious. The related forms include cher (masculine singular), chère (feminine singular), chers (masculine plural), and chères (feminine plural). The feminine plural chères agrees with feminine plural nouns or with a feminine-sounding vocative in formal address.

Usage: Chères is commonly employed in direct-address passages, especially in formal letters, speeches, or written communications. Typical phrases include Chères lectrices et chers lecteurs, Chères clientes et chers clients, or Chères collègues. In such uses, chères accompanies a feminine plural noun or stands in a vocative position addressing a group of women or a mixed audience, often together with chers to cover all genders.

Contexts and nuance: When describing things rather than addressing people, chères can modify feminine plural nouns meaning expensive, as in des robes chères. The masculine counterpart is chers, and the two forms are chosen to agree with the noun they describe.

Notes: Chères is not a standalone noun and does not carry a meaning beyond its role as a feminine plural adjective or vocative. It is widely used in formal or semi-formal French and remains common in contemporary writing and speech.