可爱
kě ài
Cute · trad. 可愛
可爱 (kě'ài) is the most common and versatile way to say "cute" or "lovable" in Mandarin Chinese. It can describe people, animals, objects, or even actions that are endearing and charming.
When to use it
Neutral and widely applicable. For a more modern, often internet-culture-influenced "cute" (especially for anime characters, pets, or charmingly innocent people), 萌 (méng) is popular. To emphasize how cute something is, you can add 很 (hěn, "very") or 好 (hǎo, "so/really") before 可爱.
How to pronounce it
Sounds like "kuh-EYE." The first syllable, 可, is a rising tone, and the second, 爱, is a falling tone.
Other ways to say it
- 萌méngcute (often internet/youth culture, "moe")
- 好可爱hǎo kě àiso cute / really cute
- 呆萌dāi méngadorably naive / innocently cute
Examples
这只小狗真可爱！
zhè zhī xiǎo gǒu zhēn kě ài ！
This puppy is really cute!
你的宝宝好可爱啊！
nǐ de bǎo bao hǎo kě ài a ！
Your baby is so cute!
她穿这件衣服很可爱。
tā chuān zhè jiàn yī fu hěn kě ài 。
She looks very cute in this outfit.
Pro tip: While 可爱 is general, 萌 often implies a specific type of charming, innocent, or endearing cuteness, often associated with Japanese "moe" culture, and is very popular among younger generations.
Related phrases
我爱你 · I love you爱 · Love我想你 · I miss you
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