The Japanese symbol for “love” is 愛 (pronounced “ai”). It is a kanji character that carries a deep, emotional meaning, often associated with romantic love, affection, and care for others.
In Japanese, there are different ways to express love or affection depending on the context, and various terms and symbols exist:
- 愛 (ai) – This is the most common kanji for “love,” generally used in formal contexts or to express deep, unconditional love, such as romantic love, familial love, or love for humanity.
- 恋 (koi) – This kanji represents romantic or passionate love, often associated with infatuation or the early stages of love. It is more closely tied to the idea of “falling in love.”
- 好き (suki) – This word, written in hiragana (すき), means “like” or “fondness” and is commonly used to express affection or attraction, usually in the context of romantic interest. It’s less intense than “ai” or “koi.”
While 愛 is a powerful symbol, 恋 and 好き are also essential for expressing different kinds of love and affection in the Japanese language.