Translation and Meaning of: 愛 - ai

the japanese word Love (あい, ai) is one of those that carries a strong emotional weight, both in language and in Japanese culture. If you have ever watched a dorama, read a manga, or listened to a Japanese song, you have probably come across it. But what does it really mean? LoveLet's explore from its etymology to its everyday use, including the pictogram and curiosities that make this word 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 sentences to include in Anki or another spaced repetition program.

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

Etymology and Origin of the Kanji 愛

The kanji Love it has a fascinating story. It is composed of two main parts: the radical heart (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 carried the idea of a deep, almost uncontrollable feeling. When it arrived in Japan, it maintained this meaning but gained nuances specific to the local culture.

Interestingly, in ancient writing, the kanji Love it was even more complex, with additional strokes that represented someone looking back with longing. This poetic image helps to understand why this character is still used in romantic and familial contexts today. You can almost visualize the scene: someone standing in the middle of the path, turning their face back, unable to move forward without their loved one.

Lies in Japanese Everyday Life

Unlike Portuguese, where we use the word "love" in any context, the Japanese are more reserved with Love. 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 their family in everyday life - this kind of phrase is reserved for really special moments. Instead, they use more subtle expressions, such as "大好き" (daisuki, I really like you).

But that doesn't mean that Love be a rare word. On the contrary: 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 the "ai no corrido," that musical rhythm that talks precisely 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 LoveA technique that works well is to break the kanji into parts. Imagine the top component like someone embracing (the curved stroke) protecting the heart (心) below. Another tip is to associate the 13 strokes with phases of a relationship – from the first glance to a deep commitment. It may seem 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:

彼女の人生は愛と幸福に富んでいる。

Kanojo no jinsei wa ai to kōfuku ni michinde iru

Your life is rich in love and happiness.

• 彼女 - her in Japanese
• の - Possession particle in Japanese
• 人生 - "Life" in Japanese
• は - Japanese topic particle
• 愛 - "愛" em japonês
• と - connection particle in Japanese
• 幸福 - 「幸せ」
• に - Location particle in Japanese
• 富んでいる - "いっぱい" (ippai)

恋愛は人生の素晴らしい冒険です。

Ren'ai wa jinsei no subarashii bōken desu

Love is a wonderful adventure in life.

Love is a wonderful adventure of life.

• 恋愛 - amor/romance
• は - Topic particle
• 人生 - life
• の - Possessive particle
• 素晴らしい - maravilhoso
• 冒険 - aventura
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

悩ましい恋愛は美しい。

Nayamashii ren'ai wa utsukushii

The annoying romance is beautiful.

• 悩ましい - means "distressing" or "worrying".
• 恋愛 - means "love" or "romance".
• 美しい - means "pretty" or "beautiful".

愛でたい人がいる。

Aide tai hito ga iru

There is someone I want to love.

There are people who want to love.

• 愛でたい - "want to love"
• 人 - noun "person"
• が - subject particle
• いる - verb "to exist"

愛情は人生の最高の贈り物です。

Aijou wa jinsei no saikou no okurimono desu

Love is the best gift in life.

• 愛情 (aijou) - love
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 人生 (jinsei) - life
• の (no) - Possession particle
• 最高 (saikou) - better, maximum
• の (no) - Possession particle
• 贈り物 (okurimono) - gift, gift of offer
• です (desu) - verb to be, to stay

永久に愛してる

Eikyuu ni aishiteru

I love you forever.

I love you forever

• 永久に - means "forever" in Japanese
• 愛してる - It's a contraction of the phrase "愛している", which means "I love you" in Japanese.

短い髪の女性は可愛いです。

Mijikai kami no josei wa kawaii desu

Short -twirled women are cute.

• 短い (mijikai) - short
• 髪 (kami) - hair
• の (no) - Possession particle
• 女性 (josei) - woman
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 可愛い (kawaii) - pretty, cute
• です (desu) - verb to be, to stay

私は犬を可愛がる。

Watashi wa inu wo kawaigaru

I lovingly take care of my dog.

I love my dog.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Japanese topic particle that indicates the main subject of the sentence.
• 犬 (inu) - Japanese noun that means "dog"
• を (wo) - Japanese object particle indicating the direct object of the action
• 可愛がる (kawaigaru) - Japanese verb that means "to love", "to care" or "to pamper"

私の姪はとても可愛いです。

Watashi no mei wa totemo kawaii desu

My niece is very cute.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• の (no) - partícula que indica posse, neste caso, "minha"
• 姪 (mei) - noun that means "niece"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "niece"
• とても (totemo) - adverb meaning "very"
• 可愛い (kawaii) - adjective that means "cute" or "pretty"
• です (desu) - linking verb that indicates the formality of the sentence

私は彼女に愛を告げた。

Watashi wa kanojo ni ai o tsugeru

I declared my love to her.

I told her love.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I"
• 彼女 (kanojo) - substantivo que significa "ela" ou "namorada"
• に (ni) - particle indicating the addressee of the action, in this case "to her"
• 愛 (ai) - noun meaning "love"
• を (wo) - particle indicating the direct object of the action, in this case, "love"
• 告げた (tsugeta) - verb meaning "to declare" or "to confess", conjugated in the past tense