Translation and Meaning of: 愛 - ai

The Japanese word 愛 (あい, ai) is one of those that carries a strong emotional weight, both in the language and in Japanese culture. If you have ever watched a dorama, read a manga, or listened to a Japanese song, you have likely come across it. But what does 愛 really mean? Let's explore its etymology, its use in everyday life, the pictogram, and curiosities that make this word something so special. And if you are studying Japanese, here at Suki Nihongo, the largest online Japanese dictionary, you will also learn how to write this kanji and ready-made phrases to include in Anki or another spaced repetition program.

Many people search on Google not only for the meaning of 愛, but also its origin, how it is used in different contexts, and even tips to memorize this kanji. Does it carry the same weight as "love" in Portuguese? Or do the Japanese use it more reservedly? Let’s uncover all this and a bit more throughout this article.

Etymology and Origin of the Kanji 愛

The kanji 愛 has a fascinating history. It is composed of two main parts: the radical 心 (kokoro, heart) at the bottom and the upper component that refers to "affection" or "attachment." Originally, in ancient China, this character represented the sound "ai" and conveyed the idea of a deep, almost uncontrollable feeling. When it arrived in Japan, it retained this meaning but gained nuances specific to local culture.

Interestingly, in ancient writing, the kanji 愛 was even more complex, with additional strokes representing someone looking back with nostalgia. This poetic image helps to understand why this character is so commonly used in romantic and familial contexts to this day. You can almost visualize the scene: someone standing in the middle of the road, turning their face back, unable to move forward without the loved one.

Lies in Japanese Everyday Life

Unlike Portuguese, where we throw around the word "love" in any context, the Japanese are more reserved with 愛. It frequently appears in songs, poems, and strong declarations, but rarely in casual conversations. A Japanese person would hardly say "愛してる" (aishiteru, I love you) to family on a daily basis - this type of phrase is saved for truly special moments. Instead, they use more subtle expressions, like "大好き" (daisuki, I really like you).

But that doesn't mean that 愛 is a rare word. Quite the opposite: it appears in people's names (like Aiko or Ai), in advertising slogans, and even in place names. A famous example is the bridge 愛橋 (Aibashi) in Hokkaido, known as a meeting point for couples. And who hasn't heard of "ai no corrido," that musical rhythm that precisely talks about stories of tragic love? The word is everywhere, but always with that characteristic emotional weight.

Tips for Memorizing and Writing Kanji

If you're struggling to remember how to write 愛, a technique that works well is to break the kanji into parts. Imagine the top component as someone embracing (the curved stroke) protecting the heart (心) below. Another tip is to associate the 13 strokes with stages of a relationship - from the first glance to deep commitment. It may sound silly, but our brain memorizes better when it creates stories.

To practice writing, start with the radicals separated and then combine everything. Pay special attention to the "heart" at the bottom - it should be well-centered so the kanji doesn’t look unbalanced. And if you like apps, try Skritter or Kanji Study, which make practice something almost addictive. A week of writing this kanji every day and it will be etched in your memory - just like the feeling it represents.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 恋愛 (ren'ai) - Romantic relationship
• 愛情 (aijou) - Affection or love
• 愛着 (aichaku) - Attachment or attachment
• 愛護 (aiho) - Care or protection
• 愛憎 (aizō) - Love and hate
• 愛欲 (aiyoku) - Love desire
• 愛慕 (aibo) - Loving admiration
• 愛徳 (aitoku) - Virtue of love
• 愛敬 (aikei) - Loving respect
• 愛好 (aikou) - To appreciate or like something
• 愛犬 (aiken) - Love for dogs
• 愛猫 (ainek) - Love for cats
• 愛妻 (aisai) - Beloved wife
• 愛娘 (aisai) - Beloved daughter
• 愛息 (aishi) - Beloved son
• 愛車 (aisha) - Love for cars
• 愛読 (aidoku) - Appreciated reading
• 愛書 (aisho) - Love for books
• 愛国 (aikoku) - Patriotism
• 愛称 (aishou) - Endearing name
• 愛人 (ainin) - Lover
• 愛想 (aiso) - Kindness
• 愛嬢 (aijou) - Beloved daughter or kind young lady
• 愛犬家 (aikenka) - dog lover
• 愛猫家 (ainekka) - Cat lover
• 愛車家 (aishaka) - Car lover
• 愛読家 (aidokuka) - Reading enthusiast
• 愛書家 (aishouka) - Book lover
• 愛好家 (aikouka) - Appreciator or enthusiast

愛

Romaji: ai
Kana: あい
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n3

Translation / Meaning: love

Meaning in English: love

Definition: Deep feelings and strong feelings towards others or things.

Example Sentences - (愛) ai

See below some example sentences:

リボンをつけると可愛くなる。

Ribon wo tsukeru to kawaiku naru

When you grab a ribbon, it becomes fluffy.

When you grab a ribbon, it becomes fluffy.

• リボン (Ribbon) - a decorative ribbon
• を (wo) - object particle
• つける (tsukeru) - to place, to fix, to attach
• と (to) - Comparison particle
• 可愛く (kawaiku) - adorable, beautiful, cute
• なる (naru) - become, stay

あなたはとても可愛いちゃんですね。

Anata wa totemo kawaii chan desu ne

You are very cute

• あなた (anata) - you
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• とても (totemo) - very
• 可愛い (kawaii) - bonito, fofo
• ちゃん (chan) - affectionate suffix for girls
• です (desu) - Verb to be
• ね (ne) - confirmation particle

この指輪は私の愛の証です。

Kono yubiwa wa watashi no ai no akashi desu

This ring is proof of my love.

This ring is proof of my love.

• この - this
• 指輪 - ring
• は - is
• 私の - my
• 愛 - love
• の - of
• 証 - test
• です - is (formal)

二つの人を結び付ける力は愛です。

Futatsu no hito wo musubi tsukeru chikara wa ai desu

The power to connect two people is love.

• 二つの人を結び付ける力 - the force that unites two people
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 愛 - love
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

何時までもあなたを愛しています。

Nanji made mo anata wo aishiteimasu

I will love you forever.

I love you forever.

• 何時までも - always
• あなたを - you
• 愛しています - love

兎は可愛い動物です。

Usagi wa kawaii doubutsu desu

Bunny is a cute animal.

• 兎 (usagi) - Rabbit
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 可愛い (kawaii) - cute, cute
• 動物 (doubutsu) - Animal
• です (desu) - verb to be in the polite form

双子はとても可愛いです。

Futago wa totemo kawaii desu

The twins are very cute.

• 双子 (futago) - "twins" in Japanese
• は (wa) - grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• とても (totemo) - adverb meaning "very"
• 可愛い (kawaii) - adjective meaning "cute" or "pretty"
• です (desu) - Verb "to be" in polite form

可愛らしい花ですね。

Kawaīrashī hana desu ne

What a lovely flower.

It is a beautiful flower.

• 可愛らしい - Adjective meaning "adorable" or "cute"
• 花 - noun meaning "flower"
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form
• ね - ending particle that can indicate a rhetorical question or a confirmation

可愛い猫が好きです。

Kawaii neko ga suki desu

I like cute cats.

• 可愛い - adjective that means cute, pretty, adorable
• 猫 - noun that means cat
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 好き - adjective that means to like, to be a fan of
• です - verb to be in the polite form

唯一の愛

Yuiitsu no ai

Only love.

Just love

• 唯一 (yuiitsu) - means "unique" or "the only one"
• の (no) - Particle indicating possession or relationship
• 愛 (ai) - means "love"