Translation guide
The English verb 'adore' expresses strong affection, love, or admiration. In Japanese, there is no single direct equivalent; the best choice depends on what is being adored and the intensity of feeling. Common translations include 大好き (really like/love), 崇拝する (worship/adore), and 敬愛する (respect and love).
I adore you.
Casual, warm. For romantic 'I adore you', 愛しています is possible but very serious.
I adore this song.
Expressing strong fondness for a person, pet, food, activity, etc., similar to 'I love ...' or 'I really like ...'
The most common and natural way to say you adore someone or something in casual contexts. It literally means 'big like' and is used for people, animals, hobbies, food, etc. Often used with 〜が大好きです or just 大好き.
I adore cats.
She adores chocolate.
Means 'to love' deeply. It is more serious and emotional than 大好き, often used for romantic love or profound affection. Can sound dramatic in casual settings.
An emphatic way to say you like something so much you can't help it. Conveys 'I'm crazy about ...' or 'I absolutely adore ...'.
I absolutely adore this song.
Expressing adoration in a reverent, worshipful sense, such as for a deity, a celebrity, or an ideal.
Means 'to worship' or 'to adore' in a religious or fanatical sense. Used for gods, idols, or extreme admiration.
She adores that singer (like a worshipper).
Ancient people adored the sun.
Means 'to respect and love' or 'to hold in high esteem'. Used for mentors, respected figures, or someone you deeply admire.
Means 'to long for', 'to admire', or 'to yearn after'. Often used for someone you look up to or a lifestyle you desire.
Expressing a strong desire to do something, similar to 'I would love to...'
Using ぜひ (by all means) with the 〜たい form expresses a strong wish. It conveys 'I'd really love to...' or 'I'd adore to...'.
I'd adore to go.
Expresses a desire to try something. Combined with ぜひ, it becomes 'I'd adore to try...'.
I'd adore to try it.
While 愛する can translate 'adore', it is heavier and more intimate than the English word. For everyday 'I adore this cake', use 大好き instead. 愛する is for deep, often romantic love.
大好き is casual and widely used for things, hobbies, and people. 愛する is serious and emotional. Saying あなたを愛しています is like a marriage proposal; saying あなたが大好きです is a warm 'I really like you'.
He adores his wife from the bottom of his heart.
I adore my former teacher (with deep respect).
He adores the city life (longs for it).