In Italian, cara is an adjective that means dear, beloved, or precious, and is the feminine form of caro. It can be used in various contexts, often to express affection, fondness, or value towards a person or thing. The masculine form caro and the plural forms cari (masculine) and care (feminine) follow similar usage patterns.
Here are a few common ways cara is used:
- As a term of affection: When addressing someone directly, cara (or caro for a male) is a common way to show closeness or fondness. It’s frequently used in letters or conversations, like the English dear.
- Cara Maria, come stai? – Dear Maria, how are you?
- Caro amico, ti penso spesso. – Dear friend, I think of you often.
- To express value or importance: In this context, cara can mean that something is important or precious, either emotionally or financially.
- La mia famiglia è molto cara per me. – My family is very dear to me.
- Questa collana è cara perché era di mia nonna. – This necklace is precious because it was my grandmother’s.
- To describe something expensive: In more casual conversation, cara can also be used to describe something that is expensive, although this usage is more common with caro in the masculine form.
- Questa borsa è troppo cara! – This bag is too expensive!
- Quell’albergo era davvero caro. – That hotel was really expensive.
The word cara has its roots in the Latin carus, meaning valued or beloved, and it has maintained this meaning in modern Italian. When using it, you can tell from the context whether it’s about affection or cost.