Learn Japanese Kanji - Aesthetic Guide

Lesson 1: 愛 (Love)

Radicals in 愛

The kanji 愛 (ai, meaning "love") is a combination of several components that together paint a picture of its meaning. It is traditionally classified under the 心 (heart) radical, which ties directly to emotions.

爫 (Claw/Hand Radical): The top resembles a hand, suggesting grasping or holding love.
冖 (Cover Radical): A cover or hood, hinting at love as protective or encompassing.
心 (Heart Radical): The core of the kanji, representing the heart or mind—central to "love."
夊 (Walking Slowly): A foot moving gracefully, adding a sense of tenderness or care.

Imagine a hand gently covering a heart while moving tenderly—a poetic depiction of love. Fun fact: In older scripts, 愛 was even more intricate, but today’s form balances beauty and simplicity.

Examples of 愛 in Use

Here are some common words and phrases using 愛

愛する (aisuru)

Meaning: To love

Hiragana: あいする

Example: 彼を愛する。
(Kare o aisuru.)
"I love him."

愛情 (aijō)

Meaning: Affection

Hiragana: あいじょう

Example: 母の愛情は深い。
(Haha no aijō wa fukai.)
"A mother’s love is deep."

可愛い (kawaii)

Meaning: Cute

Hiragana: かわいい

Example: この子猫は可愛いね。
(Kono koneko wa kawaii ne.)
"This kitten is cute, isn’t it?"

愛好家 (aikōka)

Meaning: Enthusiast / Hobbyist

Hiragana: あいこうか

Example: 彼は音楽愛好家だ。
(Kare wa ongaku aikōka da.)
"He is a music enthusiast."

愛用 (aiyō)

Meaning: Favorite use / Cherished use

Hiragana: あいよう

Example: このペンを愛用している。
(Kono pen o aiyō shite iru.)
"I cherish using this pen."

愛犬 (aiken)

Meaning: Beloved dog / Pet dog

Hiragana: あいけん

Example: 愛犬と散歩する。
(Aiken to sanpo suru.)
"I walk with my beloved dog."

愛車 (aisha)

Meaning: Beloved car

Hiragana: あいしゃ

Example: 愛車を洗う。
(Aisha o arau.)
"I wash my beloved car."

親愛 (shin’ai)

Meaning: Dear / Affectionate

Hiragana: しんあい

Example: 親愛なる友へ。
(Shin’ai naru tomo e.)
"To my dear friend."

愛着 (aichaku)

Meaning: Attachment / Affection

Hiragana: あいちゃく

Example: この家に愛着がある。
(Kono ie ni aichaku ga aru.)
"I have an attachment to this house."

愛想 (aisō)

Meaning: Friendliness / Charm

Hiragana: あいそ

Example: 彼女は愛想がいい。
(Kanojo wa aisō ga ii.)
"She is very friendly."

博愛 (hakuai)

Meaning: Philanthropy / Universal love

Hiragana: はくあい

Example: 博愛の精神を持つ。
(Hakuai no seishin o motsu.)
"To have a spirit of universal love."

愛読 (aidoku)

Meaning: Favorite reading

Hiragana: あいどく

Example: この本を愛読する。
(Kono hon o aidoku suru.)
"I love reading this book."

愛護 (aigo)

Meaning: Protection / Care

Hiragana: あいご

Example: 動物愛護を考える。
(Dōbutsu aigo o kangaeru.)
"To think about animal welfare."

愛人 (aijin)

Meaning: Lover

Hiragana: あいじん

Example: 彼には愛人がいる。
(Kare ni wa aijin ga iru.)
"He has a lover."

愛国心 (aikokushin)

Meaning: Patriotism

Hiragana: あいこくしん

Example: 彼は強い愛国心を持っている。
(Kare wa tsuyoi aikokushin o motte iru.)
"He has strong patriotism."

The kanji 愛 carries a deep emotional weight, making it versatile for romantic, familial, and even abstract expressions like patriotism.