If there’s one Chinese word every Mandarin learner wants to know early on, it’s 爱 (ài).
From saying “我爱你” (Wǒ ài nǐ) to talking about what you love in life, this simple character shows up everywhere. It’s short, powerful, and incredibly useful—especially for beginners.
Let’s explore 爱 (ài) in a friendly, easy-to-remember way.
What Does 爱 (ài) Mean?
爱 (ài) means love or to love.
It’s used to express:
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Romantic love 💕
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Love for family and friends
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Loving activities, food, languages, or hobbies
In Chinese, 爱 (ài) is both a noun and a verb, which makes it very flexible in everyday conversation.
Pronunciation: How to Say 爱 (ài)
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爱 (ài)
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Fourth tone (a strong falling tone)
🔊 Say it with confidence, like making a firm statement. Think of your voice dropping quickly: ài!
HSK Level: A Must-Know Beginner Word
爱 (ài) is part of HSK 1 (New HSK 3.0), which means it’s one of the earliest and most important words you’ll learn in Mandarin.
You’ll hear and use it constantly—in daily conversations, textbooks, and exams.
Inside the Character: Radicals & Strokes
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Radical: 爫 (zhǎo)
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Total strokes: 10
While the modern simplified form looks abstract, it still carries deep meaning when you explore its traditional version.
Simplified vs Traditional: A Beautiful Detail
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Simplified: 爱 (ài)
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Traditional: 愛 (ài)
💡 Fun fact:
The traditional character 愛 (ài) includes 心 (xīn, heart) at the bottom—perfectly symbolizing that love comes from the heart ❤️
Common Words Using 爱 (ài)
Once you know 爱 (ài), you can understand many other useful words:
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爱好 (ài hào) – hobby
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可爱 (kě ài) – cute
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爱人 (ài rén) – spouse / lover
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爱情 (ài qíng) – romantic love
Learning one character unlocks many more!
How to Use 爱 (ài) in Real Sentences
Here are some simple, practical examples you can start using right away:
1. Expressing love
我爱你。
Wǒ ài nǐ.
→ I love you.
2. Talking about what you love
我爱中文。
Wǒ ài Zhōngwén.
→ I love Chinese.
3. Talking about family love
她爱她的家人。
Tā ài tā de jiārén.
→ She loves her family.
4. Loving an activity
我爱学习汉语。
Wǒ ài xuéxí Hànyǔ.
→ I love studying Chinese.
if you can say “我爱汉语” (Wǒ ài Hànyǔ) with confidence, you’re already falling in love with Mandarin 😉