可愛かわいがる

godan verb (-ru), transitive verb

be affectionate to; dote on; cherish

Used for showing fondness and care toward a child, junior, pet, or someone close; often implies warm, protective affection.

• 祖そ父ふ母ぼは初はつ孫まごをとても可愛かわいがっている。

  The grandparents are very affectionate toward their first grandchild.

• 彼かの女じょは拾ひろった猫ねこを家か族ぞくのように可愛かわいがった。

  She cherished the cat she had found as if it were family.

godan verb (-ru), transitive verb

show favoritism to; be partial to

The same affectionate treatment can be viewed negatively when it is selective or unfair, especially in schools, workplaces, or teams.

• 先せん生せいが一いち部ぶの生せい徒とだけを可愛かわいがると、不ふ公こう平へいに感かんじられる。

  When a teacher favors only some students, it feels unfair.

godan verb (-ru), transitive verb

pet; caress; fondle affectionately

Often overlaps with the affection sense, but can focus on physical affectionate handling, especially of animals or small children.

• 子こ犬いぬの頭あたまをなでながら、しばらく可愛かわいがった。

  I petted the puppy for a while, stroking its head.

godan verb (-ru), transitive verb

be tough on; rough up; train harshly; torment

Colloquial ironic use, often in the phrase 可愛がってやる; it can sound threatening, like hazing, rough treatment, or harsh training rather than affection.

• 先せん輩ぱいは新しん入にゅう部ぶ員いんに「今日きょうはたっぷり可愛かわいがってやる」と言いった。

  The senior member told the new club members, "I'll really put you through it today."

• 合がっ宿しゅくでは先せん輩ぱいにずいぶん可愛かわいがられ、毎まい日にち走はしらされた。

  At training camp, the seniors were really tough on us and made us run every day.