恋

kō

noun★Intermediate

formalinformal

Love, affection, or romantic feelings for someone

彼は彼女に恋をしている

He is in love with her

恋の歌

A love song

💡

Often used in the context of romantic love, but can also refer to deep affection in general.

Collocations

恋をするto fall in love恋の始まりthe beginning of love

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Phrases

恋に落ちるphrase

to fall in love

恋の悩みphrase

love troubles

💡Pro Tip

Romantic vs. General Affection

'恋' is most commonly used for romantic love, but it can also describe deep affection in other relationships. For platonic love, '愛' is more commonly used.

📖Word Origin

Derived from the verb '恋う' (koi), meaning 'to love' or 'to be in love', with roots in classical Japanese.

📝Usage Notes

While '恋' is often used for romantic love, it can also describe deep affection in non-romantic contexts, such as between friends or family.

Word Breakdown

恋

love, affection

root

✎ Noted on June 4, 2026JA → EN