can1 oi3 dik1親愛的亲爱的

Jyutpingcan1 oi3 dik1

Yalechān oi dīk

Definition

Dear; beloved; darling.

colloquialpeopleemotion

How it's used

Using 親愛的 in Cantonese is almost exclusively a direct translation of the English term of endearment dear. It is rarely used in natural, native Cantonese speech between romantic partners, who typically prefer nicknames or just calling each other by name. It often sounds slightly performative or like a translation from Western media when used in daily life.

Examples

can1親oi3愛dik1的，nei5你gam1今maan5晚soeng2想sik6食me1咩aa3呀？

Dear, what would you like to eat tonight?

keoi5佢se2寫zo2咗fung1封seon3信bei3畀can1親oi3愛dik1的maa4媽maa1媽。

She wrote a letter to her dear mother.

Related words

see alsosam1 gon1 bou2 bui3心肝寶貝sām gōn bóu buisee alsooi3 jan4愛人oi yành

Common phrases

can1親oi3愛dik1的nei5你

my dear you

Common mistake

Avoid using this as a standard way to address people in Cantonese, as it sounds very unnatural and overly intimate or formal depending on the context. It is much more common to use names or kinship terms like 媽咪 or 老公 when addressing someone directly.