爱
ài
Love · trad. 愛
爱 (ài) is the fundamental word for "love" in Mandarin Chinese. It can be used as both a verb ("to love") and a noun ("love"). It applies to people, things, activities, and even abstract concepts, signifying deep affection or strong preference.
What does 爱 (ài) mean?
爱 (ài) means “love” in English. Word for word, it breaks down as “love / to love.”
When to use it
Neutral. While 爱 is used for deep affection, for general liking or fondness, 喜欢 (xǐhuan) is more common. For passionate love or a strong hobby, 热爱 (rè'ài) can be used. The noun for romantic love is 爱情 (àiqíng).
How to pronounce it
Sounds like "EYE" with a falling tone, as if you're saying "aye" but with a definite downward pitch.
Other ways to say it
- 喜欢xǐhuanto like / to be fond of (a weaker form of affection)
- 热爱rè'àito ardently love / to be passionate about
- 爱情àiqíngromantic love (noun)
Examples
我爱你。
wǒ ài nǐ.
I love you.
我爱吃饺子。
wǒ ài chī jiǎozi.
I love eating dumplings.
她很爱她的家人。
tā hěn ài tā de jiārén.
She loves her family very much.
Pro tip: In Chinese, 爱 is often used for strong preferences or hobbies, like "我爱看电影" (I love watching movies), which might sound very strong in English but is natural in Chinese. For simple liking, 喜欢 is preferred.
Related phrases
我爱你 · I love you亲爱的 · My love我爱你，亲爱的 · I love you my love
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