How to say "affection" in Japanese

• 愛あいJLPT N3approx.Common
  noun, noun (suffix)Covers love and affection in the broadest and deepest sense, including strong emotional attachment to a person. Use this when 'affection' shades into love itself rather than milder fondness.
  愛あいの動うごきは不可解ふかかい。↗

  Love moves in mysterious ways.
• 愛情あいじょうJLPT N3approx.Common
  no-adjectiveRefers to love and affection as a feeling held toward someone, such as a partner, family member, or child. It names the emotion itself and fits talk of giving or having affection for another person.
  とりわけ子供こどもたちは愛情あいじょうを必要ひつようとする。↗

  Above all, children need love.
• 愛着あいちゃくCommon
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbBest for attachment or fondness, especially toward things, places, or familiar people. If 'affection' means a lingering fondness for something you know well, this is the natural choice.
  私はこの古ふるい麦藁帽子むぎわらぼうしにとても愛着あいちゃくがある。↗

  I am very much attached to this old straw hat.
• 親しみしたしみCommon
  nounMeans intimacy, familiarity, and affection in the sense of warm friendliness between people. Use it when 'affection' describes a comfortable, approachable feeling rather than deep love.
  ペットは私わたしたちに親したしみ以上いじょうのものを与あたえてくれる。↗

  Pets offer us more than mere companionship.
• 慈愛じあいCommon
  nounRefers to affection and fondness of a tender, caring kind, especially the protective affection of a parent for a child. Choose it only for this warm, nurturing sense.
  慈愛じあいは家庭かていから始はじまる。↗

  Charity begins at home.

For deep love use 愛 or 愛情; for fond attachment to things or people use 愛着; for warm friendliness use 「親しみ」; and for tender, especially parental, affection use 慈愛.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 愛あいlove
• 愛情あいじょうlove
• 愛着あいちゃくattachment (esp. to things)
• 親しみしたしみintimacy
• 慈愛じあいaffection (esp. parental)
• 情愛じょうあいaffection
• 愛着あいじゃくattachment
• 慈しみいつくしみaffection
• アフェクションaffection
• 情合じょうあいaffection
• 寵愛ちょうあいfavor
• 寵ちょうfavor
• 恩情おんじょうcompassion
• 親しさしたしさintimacy
• 情けなさけaffection
• 好意こういgoodwill
• 情じょうpassion
• 愛想あいそfondness (of someone)
• お情けおなさけaffection
• 思いおもいlove