How do you say dear in Sanskrit?

Dear is called प्रियः (priyaḥ) in Sanskrit. It's a masculine word, which means it can be used when you address it to a boy or man. It's an adjective. 

 

Now, in the case of a feminine word, that is while addressing to a girl or woman, you say - प्रिया (priyā)।

 

प्रियः (priyaḥ) and प्रिया (priyā) both mean "Dear" in Sanskrit but they just differ as per gender.

 

Etymology of the word for in depth understanding:

प्रियः - प्रीणातीति । प्री + इगुपधज्ञाप्रीकिरः कः ।

प्रिया - प्री+क+टाप्।