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What is the Kanji for 'Love'? | 愛

If you are wondering what is the Japanese Kanji for 'Love', you've come to the right place!

The Japanese Kanji for 'Love' is 愛.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Love

    Reading

    kunyomiまな

    mana

    いと

    ito

    onyomiあい

    ai

    Parts

    Heart Claw Crown Late

    Example Word

    愛する: love. The Japanese verb '愛する (あいする)' means 'to love'. It is used to express deep affection, care, or romantic love for someone or something. This verb is more formal and profound compared to '好き (すき)', which is used for general likes or preferences. For example: I love my family「私は家族を愛する」(わたしはかぞくをあいする). He loves nature「彼は自然を愛する」(かれはしぜんをあいする). The verb can also be used in abstract contexts, such as loving an idea or a concept. It is important to note that '愛する' is often used in serious or heartfelt contexts, making it less common in casual conversation.

    Radical

    Stroke Count

    13

    JLPT

    N3

    Grade

    4

    Frequency

    209

    Handwriting

Parts of the Kanji

If you visually break down this kanji, you can see it is made up of 4 parts:

    kanji

    Meaning

    Heart

    kanji

    Meaning

    Claw

    radical

    Meaning

    Crown

    radical

    Meaning

    Late

As Part Of Other Kanji

This kanji appears as part of one other kanji:

    kanji

    Meaning

    Dark, Not clear

Words Using

This kanji is used in 8 words:

    word

    可愛い

    Meaning

    Cute

    word

    愛する

    Meaning

    Love

    word

    Meaning

    Love

    word

    愛情

    Meaning

    Affection

    word

    可愛らしい

    Meaning

    Adorable

    word

    可愛がる

    Meaning

    Dote

    word

    愛人

    Meaning

    Lover, Mistress

    word

    恋愛

    Meaning

    Love, Romance

Kanji Related to Through the Part

These 43 kanji contain the part 心 as well.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Think

    kanji

    Meaning

    Evil

    kanji

    Meaning

    Forget

    kanji

    Meaning

    Urgent

    kanji

    Meaning

    Window

    kanji

    Meaning

    Idea

    kanji

    Meaning

    Concept

    kanji

    Meaning

    Anger, Angry

    kanji

    Meaning

    Sad

    kanji

    Meaning

    Inevitable, Certain

    kanji

    Meaning

    Appearance, Condition

    kanji

    Meaning

    Feeling, Sensation

    kanji

    Meaning

    Listen

    kanji

    Meaning

    Suspend

    kanji

    Meaning

    Virtue

    kanji

    Meaning

    Intention

    kanji

    Meaning

    Fear

    kanji

    Meaning

    Loyalty

    kanji

    Meaning

    Grace, Kindness

    kanji

    Meaning

    Constitution

    kanji

    Meaning

    Breath

    kanji

    Meaning

    Answer, Respond

    kanji

    Meaning

    Thought

    kanji

    Meaning

    Love, Romance

    kanji

    Meaning

    Beguile, Bewildered

    kanji

    Meaning

    Favor, Bestow a favor

    kanji

    Meaning

    Ashamed, Shame

    kanji

    Meaning

    Ill, Afflicted

    kanji

    Meaning

    Rest

    kanji

    Meaning

    Endure, Stealth

    kanji

    Meaning

    Lazy, Neglect

    kanji

    Meaning

    Foolish

    kanji

    Meaning

    Affection, Mercy

    kanji

    Meaning

    Abhor, Mourning

    kanji

    Meaning

    Distress, Melancholy

    kanji

    Meaning

    Remote, Leisurely

    kanji

    Meaning

    Console, Consolation

    kanji

    Meaning

    Chastise, Learn by mistakes

    kanji

    Meaning

    Cordial, Courteous

    kanji

    Meaning

    Congratulate, Congratulations

    kanji

    Meaning

    Wick

    kanji

    Meaning

    Selfish, Arbitrary

    kanji

    Meaning

    Grudge

Kanji Related to Through the Part

These 2 kanji contain the part 爪 as well.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Accept

    kanji

    Meaning

    Gentle, Come to terms

Kanji Related to Through the Part

These 25 kanji contain the part 冖 as well.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Learn

    kanji

    Meaning

    Return

    kanji

    Meaning

    Lie down, Go to sleep

    kanji

    Meaning

    Accept

    kanji

    Meaning

    Copy, Photograph

    kanji

    Meaning

    Labor

    kanji

    Meaning

    Redundant, Superfluous

    kanji

    Meaning

    Manage

    kanji

    Meaning

    Dream

    kanji

    Meaning

    Army

    kanji

    Meaning

    Belt, Wear

    kanji

    Meaning

    Prosper, Flourish

    kanji

    Meaning

    Invade

    kanji

    Meaning

    Emperor, Sovereign

    kanji

    Meaning

    Search, Rope

    kanji

    Meaning

    Soak, Immersed

    kanji

    Meaning

    Great man, Magnificent

    kanji

    Meaning

    Grain, Cereal

    kanji

    Meaning

    Inn, Pavilion

    kanji

    Meaning

    Firefly

    kanji

    Meaning

    Mound, Tumulus

    kanji

    Meaning

    One

    kanji

    Meaning

    Gloom

    kanji

    Meaning

    Dark

    kanji

    Meaning

    Glossary

Kanji Related to Through the Part

These 11 kanji contain the part 夂 as well.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Night

    kanji

    Meaning

    Summer

    kanji

    Meaning

    Winter

    kanji

    Meaning

    After, Behind

    kanji

    Meaning

    Wheat

    kanji

    Meaning

    Change, Abnormal

    kanji

    Meaning

    Each

    kanji

    Meaning

    Deal with

    kanji

    Meaning

    Anxious, Grief

    kanji

    Meaning

    Hump, Prosper

    kanji

    Meaning

    Congratulate, Congratulations

Learn the Kanji

Let's make sure you fully understand this kanji.

What does 愛 mean?

愛 means 'Love'.

Japanese school students learn this kanji in Fourth Grade, while non-native learners often study it for the JLPT N3 exam.

To help you master this kanji, here's an interactive lesson where you'll practice its readings and meanings.