The Meaning of Love — Temasek Polytechnic Japanese Cultural Group

The Meaning of Love

What is love? Love is defined as “strong affection for another arising out of kinship or personal ties” based on (https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/love).

But, do you know that Japanese has different words based on different type of love?

In Japanese there is different words that is referring to love.

Ai(愛)

Ai(愛) is “feeling of love” and It is pure feeling.

Ai(愛) originally referred to beauty and was often used in religious context.

Following the Meiji Restoration in 1868, the term became associated with “love” to translate Western literature.

An examples of words with Ai(愛) are Jouai(情愛)Affection, Yuuai(友愛)Fraternity and Aigo(愛護)Tender Care.

Koi(恋)

Koi(恋) is “romantic love” and longing for a member of the opposite sex.

Koi(恋) is typical interpreted as selfish and wanting.

The term’s origins come from the concept of lonely solitude because of separation from a loved one.

Modern usage of Koi(恋) focuses on sexual love and infatuation.

The Manyō used Koi(恋) to cover a wider range of situations, including tenderness, benevolence, and material desire.

An example of words with Koi(恋) are Hatsukoi(初恋)First Love, Shitsuren(失恋)Broken Heart and Koiyamai(恋病)Lovesickness.

A very good anime that show the traditional elements of Koi(恋) is 言の葉の庭 (kotonoha No Niwa) The garden of words.

Ren’Ai(恋愛)

Ren’Ai(恋愛)is being made up of Koi(恋) and Ai(愛).

Ren’Ai(恋愛)is when pure feelings of love and passion are mixed together.

Suki(好き)

Suki(好き) means like.

Suki(好き) is used when you like something.

Example of phrases that uses Suki(好き) is

（I love my older sister）

(Do you like anime?)