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爱人 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
爱人àirenspouse (PRC)HSK 3, unknown, 12 strokes, rank #4021, Medium
爱人àirenlover (non-PRC)HSK 3, unknown, 12 strokes, rank #4021, Medium
àiren(ai4ren5)ai ren T4
  1. 1spouse (PRC)
  2. 2lover (non-PRC)
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March 24, 2026

爱人(愛人)àiren(ai4ren5)

The term '爱人' (ài rén) refers to a spouse or a significant other in the context of romantic relationships. In Mainland China, it specifically denotes a husband or wife, while in other regions, it can also mean a lover, emphasizing a romantic connection that may not be formalized through marriage.

Strokes12Frequency#4021DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note

'爱人' reflects the importance of family and committed relationships in Chinese culture, where marriage is often seen as a vital social institution. The concept of love is intertwined with duty and familial expectations in many contexts.

Memory Tip

Think of '爱' (ài), meaning love, and '人' (rén), meaning person. Visualize a loving couple where love ('爱') is the bond connecting them ('人'). Imagine them sharing moments of affection to reinforce the meaning: a person you love.

Meanings of 爱人

àiren(ai4ren5)
1spouse (PRC)
2lover (non-PRC)
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About 爱人

爱人Simplified
愛人Traditional
12Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
个Measure Word
HSK 3.0L3ElementaryTOCFLL2YCTL3HSKKL1CEFRA1

Podcast: 爱人

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Podcast: 爱人

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AI Study Notes for 爱人

Quick Contrast

恋人 (liànrén) refers specifically to a romantic partner or lover, often implying a less formal relationship than 爱人 (àiren), which denotes a spouse or significant other.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse '爱人' with more casual terms for a boyfriend or girlfriend, as it suggests a deeper, more committed relationship. The term is more formal in Mainland China, so it's appropriate for conversations about marriage or serious relationships.

HSK Study Tips

While '爱人' is not specifically listed in HSK vocabulary, understanding this term can help learners connect with other related words about relationships and family, such as '家人' (family) or '朋友' (friend). Focus on the radicals and components to aid in memorization.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes use '爱人' too casually, thinking it can replace '男朋友' (nán péng yǒu) or '女朋友' (nǚ péng yǒu) for boyfriend or girlfriend. Instead, reserve '爱人' for more committed relationships.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 爱人

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Component Characters

爱àito love
HSK 110 strokes爫
View full entry
人rénman
HSK 12 strokes人
View full entry

How to say spouse (PRC) in Chinese

“spouse (PRC)” in Chinese is爱人àiren

The term '爱人' (ài rén) refers to a spouse or a significant other in the context of romantic relationships. In Mainland China, it specifically denotes a husband or wife, while in other regions, it can also mean a lover, emphasizing a romantic connection that may not be formalized through marriage.

When to use 爱人

Be careful not to confuse '爱人' with more casual terms for a boyfriend or girlfriend, as it suggests a deeper, more committed relationship. The term is more formal in Mainland China, so it's appropriate for conversations about marriage or serious relationships.

爱人 or something close to it

恋人 (liànrén) refers specifically to a romantic partner or lover, often implying a less formal relationship than 爱人 (àiren), which denotes a spouse or significant other.

What learners get wrong

Learners sometimes use '爱人' too casually, thinking it can replace '男朋友' (nán péng yǒu) or '女朋友' (nǚ péng yǒu) for boyfriend or girlfriend. Instead, reserve '爱人' for more committed relationships.

Write 爱人

爱
人

Practice writing 爱人 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Frequently Asked Questions about 爱人

'爱人' is commonly used in discussions about serious relationships, especially in contexts involving marriage.

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