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March 24, 2026
爱(愛)ài(ai4)
The character 爱 (ài) means 'to love' or 'to like' and conveys a deep sense of affection or fondness. It is commonly used in both romantic and platonic contexts, making it a versatile term in expressing emotions toward people, things, or activities.
Strokes10Radical爫Frequency#138DifficultyEasy
Cultural note
The concept of love in Chinese culture is often expressed through family ties and respect, reflecting the Confucian value of filial piety. Saying '我爱你' (wǒ ài nǐ) carries significant weight and is usually reserved for deep relationships.
Memory tip
Think of 爱 as a heart (the radical) surrounded by the character for 'friend' (朋友). Imagine your friends gathering around your heart, signifying that you love them. The pronunciation 'ài' sounds like 'I', reminding you that love often begins with oneself.
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AI study notes for 爱
Quick Contrast
爱 (ài) vs 喜欢 (xǐhuān) — use 爱 for deeper, more intense feelings of love, while 喜欢 indicates a lighter, more casual liking.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 爱 with 喜欢 (xǐhuān), which means 'to like'; while both express fondness, 爱 is more intense. This word is informal and can be used in everyday conversations, but be cautious when using it in formal settings.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 1 word, 爱 is foundational for expressing feelings. Students should practice using it in simple sentences and connect it with other basic verbs like 喜欢 (to like) and 想 (to want) to enhance their emotional vocabulary.
Common Mistakes
Learners may mistakenly use 爱 in contexts where 喜欢 is more appropriate, such as saying '我爱这个电影' (wǒ ài zhège diànyǐng) instead of '我喜欢这个电影' (wǒ xǐhuān zhège diànyǐng) for 'I like this movie'. Remember that 爱 conveys a stronger emotion.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 爱
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Learning Lab
Knowing 爱 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
The character 爱 (ài) means 'to love' or 'to like' and conveys a deep sense of affection or fondness. It is commonly used in both romantic and platonic contexts, making it a versatile term in expressing emotions toward people, things, or activities.
When to use 爱
Learners often confuse 爱 with 喜欢 (xǐhuān), which means 'to like'; while both express fondness, 爱 is more intense. This word is informal and can be used in everyday conversations, but be cautious when using it in formal settings.
爱 or something close to it
爱 (ài) vs 喜欢 (xǐhuān) — use 爱 for deeper, more intense feelings of love, while 喜欢 indicates a lighter, more casual liking.
What learners get wrong
Learners may mistakenly use 爱 in contexts where 喜欢 is more appropriate, such as saying '我爱这个电影' (wǒ ài zhège diànyǐng) instead of '我喜欢这个电影' (wǒ xǐhuān zhège diànyǐng) for 'I like this movie'. Remember that 爱 conveys a stronger emotion.
Write 爱
爱
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Grammar patterns of 爱
爱 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 7 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
