Japanese Symbol for
愛ai
love · affection · care
Readings
Meaning
Love, affection, care, tenderness. 愛 covers the full spectrum of love — romantic love, parental love, and deep affection for people or things.
Example words
愛情
aijō
affection, love
恋愛
ren'ai
romantic love
愛犬
aiken
beloved dog, pet dog
愛国心
aikokushin
patriotism (love of country)
For strictly romantic love, Japanese also uses 恋 (koi). While 愛 (ai) carries a broader, deeper sense of love and devotion, 恋 (koi) is more about passionate, longing romantic feelings. Both appear in the word 恋愛 (ren'ai), the general term for romantic love.
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