Chinese Symbol for Love

Meaning

The everyday word for love in Chinese — for partners, family, friends and things you enjoy. As a verb it means "to love"; 我爱你 is "I love you".

Where the character comes from

The traditional form 愛 has 心 (heart) in the middle; the simplified 爱 replaced it with 友 (friend). People often point this out when choosing between the two forms.

Words with 爱

Using 爱 in a tattoo or design

Both forms are correct: 爱 is used in mainland China and Singapore, 愛 in Taiwan, Hong Kong and older texts. Many people choose 愛 for a tattoo because of the heart inside it.

Read all tattoo tips

Hear how to say it in a sentence: love in Chinese