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* Parts in bold are your answer, in case you wanted just a brief one.

* I explained general usages, but parts in italics are the cases related to 'dear' and your question.

1) As a regular modifier meaning precious and valuable, oshii (惜しい) [precious, valuable], itoshii (愛しい) [dear, beloved] & taisetsu na (大切な) [important, valuable] are common eqivalents for it, among others.

2) In its usage before a name to show endearment and/or informality, in different context there could be different words for it, most of which are among Japanese honorifics; Here are just a few common cases:

2.1) Haikei (拝啓) is the equivalent of 'dear' when used before names, as in addressing people, such as in a letter or e-mail.

2.2) Used by female and male towards other female to show a moderate level of intimacy/endearment:

=>"chan" (ちゃん) after name. (Also used by female towards male sometimes to

emphasize endearment and intimacy)

2.3) Used by male and female towards other male for same reasons mentioned above:

=> "kun" (君);

=> "sama" (さま) is also used; in case of intentionally exaggerative respect (usu male towards male) or emphasized endearment (female towards male)
dear = shika

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14y ago

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