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亲热 (qīn rè) — (adjective) affectionate, warm, intimate (in manner or behavior); (verb) to show affection (physically or verbally); (colloquial) to get intimate with someone

Definition

Describes warm, demonstrative affection — often physical (hugging, holding hands) — typically between people already close. More demonstrative than 亲密, which describes closeness of relationship; 亲热 highlights the affectionate behavior itself.

adjective
affectionatewarmintimate (in manner or behavior)
verb
to show affection (physically or verbally)(colloquial) to get intimate with someone

Examples

  • 亲热，。
    Tā men liǎ zài gōng yuán lǐ hěn qīn rè, shǒu lā zhuó shǒu sàn bù.
    The two of them are very affectionate in the park, walking hand in hand.
  • 亲热，。
    Nǐ men bié zài kè rén miàn qián qīn rè, zhè yàng bú tài lǐ mào.
    Don't get intimate in front of the guests — it's not very polite.
  • 亲热，。
    Tā qīn rè dì bào le bào hái zi, rán hòu chū mén le.
    She hugged the child affectionately, then went out.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

亲qīnintimate
热rèwarm

亲 expresses intimacy and 热 expresses warmth, so together they mean affectionate.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 親; 亲 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
見見jiànsee
Sound part声符shēngfú
辛
辛xīn親qīn
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 親 uses 見 (see) for sense and 辛 (a chisel) for sound; the simplified 亲 is a shorthand and its parts are not the historical components.

Open 亲 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 熱; 热 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
灬Written in full as火huǒfire
Sound part声符shēngfú
埶
埶yì熱rè
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 熱 pairs 埶 with 火 (written as 灬) to show heat, while 埶 gives a sound.

Open 热 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9HSK 2.0 Level 6Emotions & FeelingsRomance & Marriage

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