愛
aiLove, affection, or deep emotional attachment to someone or something
私は家族を愛しています
I love my family
彼女は音楽を愛している
She has a deep love for music
Can refer to romantic love (恋愛), familial love, or general affection
Charity or benevolence (in a religious or philosophical context)
愛の精神
The spirit of love
Often used in Buddhist or philosophical contexts
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💡Pro Tip
Romantic vs. General Love
For romantic love, '愛' is often paired with '情' (愛情). For general affection, '愛' alone is sufficient.
⚡Gold Rule
Verb Form
When used as a verb, it becomes '愛する' (aishuru), meaning 'to love'.
📖Word Origin
From Middle Chinese 'ài' (愛), meaning 'to love' or 'to cherish'. The kanji combines '爫' (hand) and '攵' (strike), originally representing the idea of 'to cherish in one's hands'
📝Usage Notes
Can be used as a noun or verb (愛する). In modern Japanese, '愛' is often used in a more abstract or philosophical sense, while '愛情' is more commonly used for romantic love.