爱 (ài) — to love; to like; to be fond of
Definition
Strong, deep affection — typically for people (family, partners), unlike 喜欢 which covers lighter likes for people and things. Use 喜爱 for emphatic written register.
verb
to loveto liketo be fond of
Examples
- 爱。Wǒ ài nǐ.I love you.
- 爱。Mā ma ài wǒ.Mom loves me.
- 爱。Tā ài chī píng guǒ.He likes to eat apples.
Origin
Sound + meaning六书liùshū
形声xíngshēngMost 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 愛; 爱 is its simplified writing.
Sound part声符shēngfú
旡
旡jì愛ài
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.
For the traditional form 愛, an older shape paired 心 (heart) with 旡 as its sound part; later a foot-like 夊 was added below. The simplified 爱 is a later variant that replaces the lower part with 友.
Appears in
Browse more HSK 1 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.