恋爱 (liàn ài) — (verb) to be in love; to have a romantic relationship; (noun) romantic love; romance

Definition

恋爱 is specifically a romantic relationship between people dating — both the ongoing state and the act of being in one. Compare 爱情 (the abstract feeling of romantic love) and 爱 (to love, used for people, things, and ideas).

verb
to be in loveto have a romantic relationship
noun
romantic loveromance
Measure word · 个, 场

Examples

  • 恋爱
    Tā men zhōng yú liàn ài le.
    They are finally in love.
  • 恋爱
    Nà chǎng liàn ài ràng tā chéng zhǎng le hěn duō.
    That romance made him grow a lot.
  • Wǒ cóng lái méi tán guò liàn ài.
    I have never been in love.

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