愛す|あいすaisu[1]atamadaka (head-high)

Common
Definitions
  1. godan verb, suru verb (archaic), transitive verbto love
Conjugation
Dictionary form愛すする(あいすする)
Polite (masu)愛すします(あいすします)
Negative (nai)愛すしない(あいすしない)
polite (masen)愛すしません(あいすしません)
classical zu / nu愛すせず・愛すせぬ(あいすせず・あいすせぬ)
Past (ta)愛すした(あいすした)
polite (mashita)愛すしました(あいすしました)
Past negative (nakatta)愛すしなかった(あいすしなかった)
polite (masen deshita)愛すしませんでした(あいすしませんでした)
Te form愛すして(あいすして)
Potential愛すできる(あいすできる)
Passive愛すされる(あいすされる)
Causative愛すさせる(あいすさせる)
Causative passive愛すさせられる(あいすさせられる)
Conditional (ba)愛すすれば(あいすすれば)
tara愛すしたら(あいすしたら)
Volitional愛すしよう(あいすしよう)
polite (mashou)愛すしましょう(あいすしましょう)
Imperative愛すしろ(あいすしろ)

Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.

Synonyms & antonyms
  • Synonym愛するあいするNeutralThe standard, everyday verb for 'to love'. 「愛す」 is its godan conjugation — you can say 「愛さない」「愛します」 — but it is far less common.
  • Synonym恋するこいするNeutralTo be in love, as in 「恋する乙女」; the focus is on romance rather than love in general.
  • Synonym好くすくNeutralMeans 'to like' and is lighter than 「愛す」. Mostly seen in the negative 「好かない」 or the passive 「好かれる」.
  • SynonymいとおしむNeutralTo cherish something as precious, as in 「命を愛おしむ」; the emphasis is on the feeling of treasuring it.
  • Synonym慈しむいつくしむNeutralTo give loving care, as in 「子を慈しむ」; typically a senior's affection for a junior.
  • SynonymいとしむNeutralThe variant 「愛しむ」 also covers treasuring nature and all things, as in 「花を慈しむ」, with a gentle nuance.
  • Related慕うしたうNeutralTo long for someone or look up to them, as in 「師を慕う」; the emphasis is on admiration and reverence.
  • Related好むこのむNeutralTo prefer or be inclined to like something, as in 「甘い物を好む」; the emphasis is on one's tastes.
  • Related恋い慕うこいしたうNeutralYearning for someone, with the nuance of missing a loved one romantically, as in 「恋い慕う人」.
  • Related好き好むすきこのむNeutralUsually seen as 「好き好んで」: to do something of one's own free will, purely by choice.
  • Related愛慕あいぼWrittenWritten-register word for adoration, as in 「愛慕の情」; it can be romantic longing or a respectful affection for teachers and elders.
  • Related惚れ込むほれこむNeutralTo be deeply captivated or charmed, as in 「才能に惚れ込む」.
  • Related恋着れんちゃくWrittenA written word for attachment, used rarely; the nuance is a love one cannot let go of.
  • Related恋慕れんぼWrittenA written word for romantic longing, as in 「恋慕の情」; the emphasis is on love between a man and a woman.
  • Related愛しがるいとしがるWrittenTo cherish tenderly; written, old-fashioned and rare — in daily speech people say 「いとおしい」.
  • RelatedいとおしがるWrittenTo dote on someone or think of them tenderly; written and rare, with the emphasis on tender feelings.
  • Antonym憎むにくむNeutralThe direct opposite of 「愛す」: to hate, as in 「人を憎む」.
  • Antonym嫌うきらうNeutralThe opposite of loving 「愛す」: to dislike, as in 「嘘を嫌う」.

For everyday 'love', 「愛する」 is the standard choice; 「愛す」 means the same and conjugates as 「愛さない」「愛します」, but is much rarer. Use 「好く」 for lighter 'like', 「好む」 for preferences, 「慈しむ」 for a senior's tender care, 「慕う」 for admiration, 「恋い慕う」 for yearning, 「恋する」 for romance, and 「惚れ込む」 for deep captivation; 「好き好む」 is for doing something purely by choice. 「愛慕」「恋慕」「恋着」 belong to the written register, and 「愛しがる」「愛おしがる」 are written words seldom used. Antonyms: 「憎む」 for hate, 「嫌う」 for dislike.

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

Japanese definitions
  1. 愛あいする。
Kanji in this word
See also

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