愛

Phono-semantic compound (originally 㤅):

心 (heart) – semantic, indicating feelings and emotions

旡 (to choke, to gasp; phonetic element) – phonetic

In bronze inscriptions: a large open mouth (旡) above 心 (heart), sometimes with a hand beneath, symbolizing holding or grasping the heart.

Originally carried meanings of to cherish, to spare, to feel pity. Later broadened to include affectionate love.

Semantic range:

- love, affection (romantic, familial, or general);

- to value, to cherish, to be fond of;

- compassion, benevolence (esp. in classical usage, akin to “to spare, to pity”);

- figurative: strong emotional attachment, desire, preference.

愛情 (애정) – affection, romantic love

敬愛 (경애) – respect and love

愛國 (애국) – patriotism, love of country

慈愛 (자애) – parental love, benevolence

博愛 (박애) – universal love, philanthropy

愛護 (애호) – to cherish, to protect

In Mencius, 愛 often meant “to cherish, to spare” rather than passionate love (e.g. 愛民 = “to cherish the people”).

Contrasts with 戀 (연애/연모), which typically carries a narrower sense of romantic or passionate love.

In Buddhist texts, 愛 (craving, attachment) is often treated negatively as taṇhā (渴愛, 갈애), one of the roots of suffering. Yet in other contexts (e.g., 慈愛) it denotes benevolence and compassion.

Phonologically stable across languages: Mandarin [ài], Japanese [ai], Korean [ae], Vietnamese [ái].