愛いとおしい

i-adjective

lovely; dear; precious

Expresses deep affection and tenderness, often toward someone or something that evokes a protective, warm feeling. Stronger and more emotional than 愛しい (いとしい).

See also: 愛しい (いとしい)

• 孫まごの笑え顔がおが愛いとおしくてたまらない。

  My grandchild's smile is so precious I can't help it.

• 彼かの女じょの不ぶ器き用ようなところも愛いとおしい。

  Even her clumsiness is endearing.

i-adjective

pitiable; pathetic; poor

Archaic or highly literary usage. Expresses pity mixed with affection, similar to 'poor dear'. In modern Japanese, this sense is rare and mostly encountered in classical or poetic contexts.

See also: 愛しい (いとしい)

• 昔むかし話ばなしでは、捨すてられた子こ犬いぬを「愛いとおしい」と抱だき上あげる場ば面めんがある。

  In old tales, there is a scene where someone picks up an abandoned puppy, calling it 'poor dear'.