亲爱的
qīn'ài de
My love · trad. 親愛的
“My love” in Chinese is 亲爱的 (qīn'ài de) — the everyday, affectionate way to address a romantic partner, and also a close family member or good friend in writing. It covers “my love,” “my dear,” “darling,” and “honey.” Chinese has no single word that maps exactly to “my love,” so 亲爱的 is what native speakers actually say; the literal 我的爱 (wǒ de ài) appears only in song lyrics and poetry.
What does 亲爱的 (qīn'ài de) mean?
亲爱的 (qīn'ài de) means “my love” in English. Word for word, it breaks down as “dear one / beloved.”
When to use it
Intimate and warm. Most common between romantic partners, but also used for children, and as the opening of a letter or message to a close friend (like “Dear …”). Spouses often switch to 老公 (lǎogōng, husband) or 老婆 (lǎopo, wife). 宝贝 (bǎobèi, “baby”) is sweeter and more playful; 心肝 (xīngān, “my heart”) is old-fashioned and very affectionate. Avoid 亲爱的 with colleagues or acquaintances — it sounds like flirting.
How to pronounce it
Sounds like “cheen-EYE duh.” 亲 is high and level (first tone), 爱 falls sharply (fourth tone), and 的 is light.
Other ways to say it
- 宝贝bǎobèibaby / darling (very affectionate — partners or children)
- 老公 / 老婆lǎogōng / lǎopohusband / wife (what spouses actually call each other)
- 亲爱的 + 名字qīn'ài de + namedear + name (e.g. 亲爱的小美 — softer, for messages and letters)
- 我的爱wǒ de àimy love (literal — poetic, songs and writing only)
- 心肝xīngānmy heart / my precious (old-fashioned, very tender)
- 亲qīndear (short form — friendly, used online and in customer chats)
Examples
亲爱的，你今天过得好吗？
qīn'ài de, nǐ jīntiān guò de hǎo ma?
My love, how was your day today?
亲爱的，我一直都在想你。
qīn'ài de, wǒ yīzhí dōu zài xiǎng nǐ.
My love, I've been thinking of you.
亲爱的妈妈，祝您生日快乐！
qīn'ài de māma, zhù nín shēngrì kuàilè!
Dear Mom, happy birthday! (used for family)
晚安，亲爱的，明天见。
Wǎn'ān, qīn'ài de, míngtiān jiàn.
Good night, my love, see you tomorrow.
亲爱的，我们今晚吃什么？
Qīn'ài de, wǒmen jīnwǎn chī shénme?
My love, what are we eating tonight?
Watch it in 20 seconds
A short animated clip with Xiao Jin, our monkey mascot — the phrase, an example, and native audio.
Pro tip: Don't translate “my love” word for word. 我的爱 (wǒ de ài) is grammatical but sounds like a song lyric; in real life people say 亲爱的 — and it also opens letters and emails to close friends, just like “Dear …” in English.
Related phrases
我爱你 · I love you我爱你，亲爱的 · I love you my love亲爱的，早上好 · Good morning my love晚安，亲爱的 · Good night my love我生命中的挚爱 · Love of my life
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