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亲爱 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
亲爱qīnàidearHSK 5, a, 19 strokes, rank #283, Hard
亲爱qīnàibelovedHSK 5, a, 19 strokes, rank #283, Hard
亲爱qīnàidarlingHSK 5, a, 19 strokes, rank #283, Hard
亲爱qīnàidearHSK 5, a, 19 strokes, rank #283, Hard
亲爱qīnàibelovedHSK 5, a, 19 strokes, rank #283, Hard
亲爱qīnàidarlingHSK 5, a, 19 strokes, rank #283, Hard
qīnài(qin1ai4)
primary
 T1
  1. 1dear
  2. 2beloved
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

亲爱(親愛)qīnài(qin1ai4)

The term 亲爱 (qīnài) is an affectionate expression used to describe someone who is dear or beloved. It is commonly used in both personal relationships, such as addressing a close friend or family member, and in written communication, like letters or messages. The word carries a warm, intimate connotation, indicating emotional closeness.

Strokes19Frequency#283DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

亲爱 is often used in letters, especially in the context of romantic relationships or close friendships, reflecting the value of expressing affection in Chinese culture. It's common to see this term at the beginning of a letter or message to someone special.

Memory Tip

Think of 亲 (qīn) as the 'family connection' that brings people together, while 爱 (ài) means 'love.' Visualize a heart (爱) surrounded by family members (亲), symbolizing love among dear ones. This imagery links the pronunciation 'qīnài' to a personal and loving context.

Meanings of 亲爱

qīnài(qin1ai4)
primary
1dear
2beloved
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 亲爱

亲爱Simplified
親愛Traditional
19Strokes
—Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#283Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1

Podcast: 亲爱

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Podcast: 亲爱

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AI Study Notes for 亲爱

Quick Contrast

亲爱的 (qīn'ài de) vs 亲密 (qīn mì) — use 亲爱的 when expressing affection directly to someone, while 亲密 emphasizes a close relationship without the affectionate nuance.

Usage Notes

When using 亲爱, it's crucial to ensure that the relationship is appropriate for such intimacy; using it in formal contexts may be seen as overly familiar. Common collocations include 亲爱的 (dear) followed by a person's name or title. Be careful with the tone, as a mispronunciation can alter the meaning.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 5 word, 亲爱 connects with themes of emotions and relationships found in other Level 5 vocabulary. Students should practice using it in sentences that express feelings to reinforce its usage in context.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes confuse 亲爱 with 亲切 (qīnqiè), which means 'cordial' or 'kind.' For instance, saying '亲切的朋友' instead of '亲爱的朋友' would sound odd. Remember to use 亲爱的 when expressing affection.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 亲爱

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Component Characters

亲qīnparents-in-law of one's offspring
HSK 59 strokes立
View full entry
爱àito love
HSK 110 strokes爫
View full entry

How to say dear in Chinese

“dear” in Chinese is亲爱qīnài

The term 亲爱 (qīnài) is an affectionate expression used to describe someone who is dear or beloved. It is commonly used in both personal relationships, such as addressing a close friend or family member, and in written communication, like letters or messages. The word carries a warm, intimate connotation, indicating emotional closeness.

When to use 亲爱

When using 亲爱, it's crucial to ensure that the relationship is appropriate for such intimacy; using it in formal contexts may be seen as overly familiar. Common collocations include 亲爱的 (dear) followed by a person's name or title. Be careful with the tone, as a mispronunciation can alter the meaning.

亲爱 or something close to it

亲爱的 (qīn'ài de) vs 亲密 (qīn mì) — use 亲爱的 when expressing affection directly to someone, while 亲密 emphasizes a close relationship without the affectionate nuance.

What learners get wrong

Learners sometimes confuse 亲爱 with 亲切 (qīnqiè), which means 'cordial' or 'kind.' For instance, saying '亲切的朋友' instead of '亲爱的朋友' would sound odd. Remember to use 亲爱的 when expressing affection.

Write 亲爱

亲
爱

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

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Grammar Patterns of 亲爱

亲爱 functions as an adjective. In Chinese it behaves like a stative verb: place it directly after the subject without 是 (我很高，not 我是高). Use 不 to negate (不高) and pair it with 很 in plain affirmative sentences. It carries 3 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.

Exercise 1 of 5

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

____的内维尔，我真太为你高兴了。

Darling Neville, I couldn't be more pleased for you.

Example Sentences for 亲爱 (10)

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1
亲爱的内维尔，我真太为你高兴了。

qīn ài de nèi wéi ěr， ， wǒ zhēn tài wéi nǐ gāo xīng。

Darling Neville, I couldn't be more pleased for you.
2
亲爱的，好了，别这么大声说话打扰他。

qīn ài de， ， hǎo， le ， bié zhè mó dà shēng shuō huà dǎ。

Now don't talk so loud and bother him, honey.
3
“回头再跟你谈。”——“好的。再见，亲爱的。”

“ “ huí tóu zài gēn nǐ。”——“ tán 。”——“。 hǎo de， 。 zài jiàn。”

"Talk to you later."— 'All right. See you love.'
4
亲爱的！见到你真是太好了。

qīn ài de！ ！ jiàn dào nǐ zhēn shì tài hǎo。

Darling! It's lovely to see you.
5
唔，那我就信你吧，亲爱的。

wù， ， nà wǒ jiù xìn nǐ， bā ， qīn。

Well, I'll take your word for it then, love.
6
“我能说一句吗？”——“亲爱的，如果你非说不可的话，好吧。”

“ “ wǒ néng shuō yī jù？”——“ ma ？”——“ qīn， ài de ， rú guǒ nǐ fēi shuō bù， kě de。”

"Could I have a word?" — "Oh dear, if you must."
7
亲爱的，见到你太让人高兴了，你看上去简直美极了。

qīn ài de， ， jiàn dào nǐ tài ràng rén gāo xīng， le ， nǐ kàn shàng qù jiǎn zhí měi。

Darling how lovely to see you, you look simply divine.
8
好好玩，亲爱的，开车小心点。

hǎo hǎo wán， ， qīn ài， de ， kāi chē xiǎo。

Have a nice time, dear, and drive carefully.
9
这话对不住我亲爱的历史老师，不过有谁需要历史课呢？

zhè huà duì bù zhù wǒ qīn ài de lì shǐ lǎo shī， ， bù guò yǒu shuí xū yào lì shǐ kè？

With apologies to my old history teacher, who needs history lessons?
10
哦，天哪，门铃响了。看看是谁好吗，亲爱的。

ó， ， tiān， nǎ ， mén líng。 xiǎng le 。 kàn kàn shì， shuí hǎo ma。

Oh dear, there's the doorbell. See who it is, would you, darling.

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Frequently Asked Questions about 亲爱

It's best to reserve 亲爱 for close relationships; using it casually may come off as insincere.

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