Learn Japanese Kanji - Aesthetic Guide

Lesson 5: 恋 (Romantic Love)

Radicals in 恋

The kanji 恋 (koi, meaning "romantic love" or "passionate longing") is a character that vividly captures the intensity of love. It is classified under the 心 (heart) radical, tying it directly to emotions and the inner self.

心 (Heart Radical): The bottom part, Radical 61, means "heart," grounding the kanji in feelings of love and desire.
赤 (Red): The top part, derived from the kanji 赤 (red), Radical 155, symbolizes passion, heat, or the flush of emotion associated with romantic love.

Visually, 恋 combines a heart (心) with the fiery intensity of red (赤), evoking the burning passion and emotional depth of romantic love. Fun fact: While 愛 (ai) often implies a broader, steady affection, 恋 (koi) focuses on the fervent, sometimes fleeting, spark of romance.

Examples of 恋 in Use

Here are some common words and phrases using 恋:

恋 (koi)

Meaning: Romantic love

Hiragana: こい

Example: 恋に落ちた。
(Koi ni ochita.)
"I fell in love."

恋愛 (ren’ai)

Meaning: Romantic love / Romance

Hiragana: れんあい

Example: 恋愛がしたい。
(Ren’ai ga shitai.)
"I want to experience romance."

恋人 (koibito)

Meaning: Lover / Sweetheart

Hiragana: こいびと

Example: 恋人とデートする。
(Koibito to dēto suru.)
"I’m going on a date with my lover."

初恋 (hatsukoi)

Meaning: First love

Hiragana: はつこい

Example: 初恋を忘れない。
(Hatsukoi o wasurenai.)
"I won’t forget my first love."

失恋 (shitsuren)

Meaning: Heartbreak

Hiragana: しつれん

Example: 失恋で泣いた。
(Shitsuren de naita.)
"I cried over a heartbreak."

恋心 (koigokoro)

Meaning: Feelings of love

Hiragana: こいごころ

Example: 恋心が芽生えた。
(Koigokoro ga mebaeta.)
"Feelings of love sprouted."

片恋 (katakoi)

Meaning: Unrequited love

Hiragana: かたこい

Example: 片恋で苦しい。
(Katakoi de kurushii.)
"Unrequited love is painful."

恋文 (koibumi)

Meaning: Love letter

Hiragana: こいぶみ

Example: 恋文を書いた。
(Koibumi o kaita.)
"I wrote a love letter."

恋路 (koiji)

Meaning: Path of love

Hiragana: こいじ

Example: 恋路を歩む。
(Koiji o ayumu.)
"I walk the path of love."

恋歌 (koika)

Meaning: Love song

Hiragana: こいか

Example: 恋歌を歌う。
(Koika o utau.)
"I sing a love song."

The kanji 恋 embodies the fiery, heartfelt essence of romantic love, highlighting passion, longing, and the emotional journey of the heart.