sweetie
/ˈswiːti/ (bre, ipa) · [swˈiti] /ˈswiːti/ (ame, ipa) · [swˈiti] /ˈswē-tē How to pronounce sweetie (audio)/ (ame, mw)
sweetie — noun
- sweetiesingular
- sweetiesplural
1. a word you use when speaking to someone you love or feel close to, such as a chi
a word you use when speaking to someone you love or feel close to, such as a child, partner, or good friend
"Sweetie, your soup is getting cold," Tamar called from the kitchen.
direct address at the start
Dahlia kissed her daughter and whispered, "Sleep well, sweetie."
direct address at the end
"Thanks for waiting, sweetie," the dentist told the nervous boy.
Walid looked at his partner and said, "You did great, sweetie."
文法句型
Sweetie, ...
..., sweetie
用法筆記
Only used when speaking directly to the person. If you are talking about that person instead, English more often uses sense 2 with a possessive such as 'my sweetie'.
常見錯誤
2. someone you love very much, especially a romantic partner or a child in your fam
someone you love very much, especially a romantic partner or a child in your family
Lucia brought her sweetie to the New Year party at her office.
possessive + sweetie
Christopher keeps a photo of his sweetie in his wallet.
After the concert, Nala ran straight to her sweetie by the gate.
The children made a card for their sweetie before Mother's Day.
- sweetheart
close in meaning, but a little fuller and less playful in tone
- darling
often warmer or slightly more old-fashioned
- partner
more neutral and common for adult relationships
文法句型
my sweetie
his/her sweetie
用法筆記
Usually appears when you talk about the person rather than call them. Distinguish it from sense 1, which is for speaking directly to that person.
3. a person who is especially kind, warm, or helpful to other people
a person who is especially kind, warm, or helpful to other people
Rin was a sweetie and carried the heavy box upstairs for me.
be a sweetie and + verb
The nurse on the night shift was a real sweetie with Grandpa.
When my bike chain broke, a sweetie from the bakery lent me tools.
Be a sweetie and open the window before everyone sits down.
- dear
can praise a kind person, but is broader and often milder
- angel
stronger and more emotional praise for helpful behaviour
- sweetheart
similar warm praise, but often sounds slightly fuller or more old-fashioned
- mean person
someone who treats others badly instead of kindly
文法句型
be a sweetie
be a real sweetie
用法筆記
Often used in praise or in a friendly request. It describes someone's kindness, not a romantic relationship.
4. a piece of candy, said in a childish or playful way
a piece of candy, said in a childish or playful way
The twins spent their pocket money on sweeties from the corner shop.
plural sweeties
Aunt Rosa hid the sweeties on the top shelf before dinner.
The clown pulled a handful of sweeties from his bright red pocket.
After the parade, Eli shared his last sweetie with the smallest child.
文法句型
bag of sweeties
some sweeties
用法筆記
More common in British English and often heard from children or adults speaking playfully. Adults in neutral everyday speech are more likely to say 'sweet' or 'candy'.