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Kotomora

愛

love, affection, favourite

JLPTN3StatusJōyō · grade 4FrequencyTop 1,000Strokes13

Readings

On'yomi

  • アイ

Kun'yomi

  • いと.しい
  • かな.しい
  • め.でる
  • お.しむ
  • まな

Nanori

  • あ
  • あし
  • え
  • かな

Meaning

愛 centers on deep emotional attachment: love, affection, and cherishing something as a favorite.

Most common words using 愛

24 of 404
  • 可愛いかわいい
    N5

    cute; adorable; charming; lovely; pretty

  • 愛あい
    N3

    love; affection; care

  • 愛するあいする
    N3

    to love

  • 恋愛れんあい
    N2

    love; romance; tender passion; emotion; affections

  • 愛すあいす

    to love

  • 愛情あいじょう
    N3

    love; affection

  • 愛用あいよう
    N1

    favorite; favourite; habitually used

  • 愛人あいじん

    lover; mistress

  • 同性愛どうせいあい

    homosexuality; homosexual love

  • 可愛らしいかわいらしい
    N3

    lovely; sweet; pretty; cute; adorable

  • 愛国あいこく

    love of one's country; patriotism

  • 愛好あいこう

    love; adoration; being fond of; having a passion for

  • 愛しいいとしい
    N1

    lovely; dear; beloved; darling; dearest

  • 愛称あいしょう

    pet name; nickname; affectionate name; term of endearment

  • 愛着あいちゃく
    N1

    attachment (esp. to things); love; affection; fondness

  • 愛想あいそ
    N1

    amiability; friendliness; affability; sociability

  • 愛犬あいけん
    N1

    pet dog; beloved dog

  • 愛護あいご

    protection; tender care

  • 愛嬌あいきょう

    charm; attractiveness; amiability; winsomeness

  • 最愛さいあい

    beloved; dearest

  • 親愛しんあい
    N1

    deep affection

  • 愛読あいどく
    N1

    reading with pleasure

  • 友愛ゆうあい

    fraternity; friendship

  • 慈愛じあい

    affection (esp. parental); love; fondness

Explore all words using 愛 →

Study

Etymology

愛 originally depicted a person leaning forward with a heart, conveying care and affection. The modern form retains 心 (heart) at the bottom, while the upper part is a simplified version of the older components.

Meaning mnemonic

The bottom is 心 (heart), and the top looks like a person reaching out. Imagine someone offering their heart with love and affection.

Reading mnemonic

For アイ, picture yourself saying 'I love you' while pointing to your eye: 'I' sounds like アイ, and the eye reminds you of the reading.