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March 24, 2026
恋爱(戀愛)liàn’ài(lian4ai4)
恋爱 (liàn'ài) refers to a romantic love or relationship, typically involving deep emotional connections and affection between partners. It can also imply being in love or having an affair, often used in contexts discussing relationships and romantic feelings.
Frequency#2273DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
恋爱 is an important aspect of modern Chinese culture, especially among younger generations, where dating and relationships are often depicted in media. Understanding this term can enhance insights into Chinese dating customs and social dynamics.
Memory Tip
Think of 恋 (liàn) as a 'link' between two hearts, where the心 (xīn, heart) radical reminds you of love. The 爱 (ài) character looks like a person with a heart, emphasizing the act of loving. Imagine two people linking their hearts in a romantic embrace.
Meanings of 恋爱
liàn’ài(lian4ai4)
1(romantic) love
2in love
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 恋爱
恋爱Simplified
戀愛Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#2273Frequency Rank
个Measure Word
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRB2
Podcast: 恋爱
Podcast: 恋爱
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AI Study Notes for 恋爱
Quick Contrast
恋情 (liànqíng) refers specifically to a romantic relationship or affair, while 恋爱 (liàn'ài) emphasizes the emotional aspect of being in love.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 恋 (liàn) as a 'link' between two hearts, where the心 (xīn, heart) radical reminds you of love. The 爱 (ài) character looks like a person with a heart, emphasizing the act of loving. Imagine two people linking their hearts in a romantic embrace.
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include confusing 恋爱 with 爱情 (àiqíng), which refers to the concept of love in a broader sense. 恋爱 is more personal and specific to romantic relationships. Be mindful of using 恋爱 in informal contexts when discussing serious relationships, as it can imply a casual tone.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 5 word, 恋爱 connects well with other vocabulary related to emotions and relationships, such as 爱 (ài, love) and 婚姻 (hūnyīn, marriage). Students should focus on the nuances of romantic versus platonic relationships.
Cultural Note
恋爱 is an important aspect of modern Chinese culture, especially among younger generations, where dating and relationships are often depicted in media. Understanding this term can enhance insights into Chinese dating customs and social dynamics.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 恋爱 with the verb 爱 (ài) alone, mistakenly using it in contexts that require a more specific term. For example, saying 'I love you' as '我恋爱你' is incorrect; it should be '我爱你'.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 恋爱
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Grammar Patterns of 恋爱
恋爱 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 5 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
那些曾经____不顺利的人都会同情休。
Anyone who has been in a troubled relationship will sympathise with Sue.
Example Sentences for 恋爱 (10)
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1
那些曾经恋爱不顺利的人都会同情休。
nà xiē zēng jīng liàn ài bù shùn lì de rén dū huì tóng qíng xiū。
Anyone who has been in a troubled relationship will sympathise with Sue.
Whenever I get into a relationship, I always fall madly in love.
5
谁都会以为你和那个姑娘恋爱了。
shuí dū huì yǐ wéi nǐ hé nà gè gū niáng liàn ài le。
Anyone would think you were in love with the girl.
6
我觉得他喜欢和我偷偷摸摸地谈恋爱。
wǒ jué dé tā xǐ huān hé wǒ tōu tōu mō mō dì tán liàn ài。
I think he enjoyed keeping our love a secret.
7
暗示我们正在谈恋爱的说法真是太荒谬了。
àn shì wǒ mén zhèng zài tán liàn ài de shuō fǎ zhēn shì tài huāng miù le。
It is ridiculous to suggest we are having a romance.
8
你怎么能和她谈恋爱呢？她简直就是个恐龙。
nǐ zěn mó néng hé tā tán liàn ài ne？ ？ tā jiǎn zhí jiù shì gè kǒng。
How can you go out with her? She's a real dog.
9
她和伦道夫已经谈了近一年恋爱了。
tā hé lún dào fū yǐ jīng tán le jìn yī nián liàn ài le。
She's been going steady with Randolph for almost a year now.
10
他们恋爱不久便结婚了。
tā mén liàn ài bù jiǔ biàn jié hūn le。
They married after a short courtship.
Cultural Notes for 恋爱
🏮Cultural insight
恋爱 is an important aspect of modern Chinese culture, especially among younger generations, where dating and relationships are often depicted in media. Understanding this term can enhance insights into Chinese dating customs and social dynamics.
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
The concept of恋爱 may be more publicly celebrated in Chinese culture, while Western cultures often emphasize individualism in relationships, which can lead to different dating practices.
Frequently Asked Questions about 恋爱
恋爱 refers specifically to being in a romantic relationship, while 爱情 encompasses the broader concept of love, including familial and platonic love.
恋爱 is generally used in informal contexts. For formal discussions about love or relationships, consider using 爱情.
No, 恋爱 can refer to romantic love at any age, although it is often associated with younger generations.
