愛する|あいするaisuru[3]nakadaka (mid-high)

JLPT N3approx.Common
Definitions
  1. suru verb (irregular), transitive verbto love
    ロメオはジュリエットが愛あいしている男おとこだ。↗
    Romeo is the man Juliet loves.
Conjugation
Dictionary form愛する(あいする)
Polite (masu)愛します(あいします)
Negative (nai)愛しない(あいしない)
polite (masen)愛しません(あいしません)
classical zu / nu愛せず・愛せぬ(あいせず・あいせぬ)
Past (ta)愛した(あいした)
polite (mashita)愛しました(あいしました)
Past negative (nakatta)愛しなかった(あいしなかった)
polite (masen deshita)愛しませんでした(あいしませんでした)
Te form愛して(あいして)
Potential愛できる(あいできる)
Passive愛される(あいされる)
Causative愛させる(あいさせる)
Causative passive愛させられる(あいさせられる)
Conditional (ba)愛すれば(あいすれば)
tara愛したら(あいしたら)
Volitional愛しよう(あいしよう)
polite (mashou)愛しましょう(あいしましょう)
Imperative愛しろ(あいしろ)

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

Synonyms & antonyms
  • Synonym好むこのむNeutralMeans to prefer or be fond of a type of thing, as in 「甘い物を好む」; it stresses a leaning or taste and is rarely used for love of a person.
  • Synonym愛すあいすWrittenA separate godan verb with the same meaning as 「愛する」, but literary and written in flavor; in modern usage 「愛する」 is the normal choice.
  • Synonym恋するこいするNeutralMeans to fall in love with someone, or to be drawn to a thing; 「愛する」 covers a broader love, including family affection and love of country.
  • Synonym好くすくNeutralMeans to like someone or something; often used in the passive 「好かれる」 or negative 「好かない」. 「愛する」 is deeper and more solemn.
  • SynonymいとおしむWrittenMeans to cherish or hold dear, as in 「過ぎゆく時を愛おしむ」; more delicate than 「愛する」, with an emphasis on treasuring.
  • Synonym慈しむいつくしむWrittenWritten word for loving and caring for tenderly, used for children, the weak, nature, or life; gentler than 「愛する」.
  • SynonymいとしむWrittenThe same word as above, also written 「愛しむ」; likewise stresses tender care and carries more tender affection than 「愛する」.
  • Related慕うしたうNeutralMeans to admire, long for, or follow someone, often a senior, teacher, or mentor; 「愛する」 is more direct.
  • Related恋い慕うこいしたうWrittenWritten/literary word for missing and longing for someone; it stresses yearning, which 「愛する」 does not necessarily imply.
  • Related惚れ込むほれこむCasualColloquial: to be deeply captivated by a person or a work; 「愛する」 is more solemn and formal.
  • Antonym憎むにくむNeutralMeans to hate or detest, regarding someone as unforgivable; it stands at the opposite pole of love and hate from 「愛する」.
  • Antonym嫌うきらうNeutralMeans to dislike or loathe, and also to avoid or shun; opposite of 「愛する」 in liking, but milder than 「憎む」.

For deep, solemn love of a person, country, or thing use 「愛する」. Everyday liking is 「好き」, falling in love is 「恋する」, tender care for juniors or the weak is 「慈しむ」, and admiration for seniors is 「慕う」.

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

Japanese definitions
  1. いつくしむ。かわいく思おもう。
  2. 恋愛れんあいの対象たいしょうとして慕したい思おもう。
  3. 性交せいこうする。
  4. 大切たいせつに思おもう。重おもんじる。惜おしむ。
  5. 面白おもしろいと思おもう。好このむ。めでる。
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also

JLPT vocabulary levels are community estimates, not official (no official lists have been published since the 2010 revision).

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