爱
ài
to love; love
Type: VerbsHSK 1
The traditional character 愛 keeps the 'heart' (心) right in its centre. The simplified form 爱 lost it, but the meaning is the same: what you do with the heart.
In Chinese, 'I love you' (我爱你) is said sparingly. People more often use 我喜欢你 ('I like you') to avoid sounding melodramatic. Younger generations say it more, largely under Western influence.
爫zhǎoclaw
冖mìcover
心xīnheart
夂zhǐarriving foot
我爱你，妈妈。
Wǒ ài nǐ, māma.
I love you, Mom.
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