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On'yomi
アイ
AI
Kun'yomi
いと.しい・かな.しい・め.でる・お.しむ・まな
itoshii / kanashii / mederu / oshimu / mana

love · affection · favourite

beautifulpeaceful

Details

Strokes13
Frequency#640
Radicalheart(4)
Old Form

Description

Love - one of the most recognized kanji worldwide. Represents deep affection and compassion.

Stroke Order

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Strokes13

Component Breakdown

=

Claw + cover + heart + go slowly

Cultural Context

Etymology

Composed of look back, heart, and foot. Heart looking back while feet stop.

Symbolism

Love, compassion, devotion. Represents unconditional emotion and deep care for others.

Spiritual Meaning

Represents deep compassion for others, spiritual love connected to Buddhist mercy and Confucian benevolence.

Anime & Manga

美少女戦士セーラームーン

Sailor Moon

manga/anime

Sailor soldiers of 'love and justice'

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フルーツバスケット

Fruits Basket

manga/anime

Story of family love and self-love

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Games

ときめきメモリアル

Tokimeki Memorial

PlayStation/PC

Landmark in romance simulation games

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ラブプラス

Love Plus

Nintendo DS/3DS

Romance game providing simulated relationship experience

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アイドルマスター

The Idolmaster

PlayStation/PC

Idol production game nurturing affection

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Words & Expressions

Four-Character Compounds

博愛主義

はくあいしゅぎ

philanthropism; philanthropism

相思相愛

そうしそうあい

mutual love; mutual love

忠君愛国

ちゅうくんあいこく

loyalty and patriotism; loyalty and patriotism

愛別離苦

あいべつりく

the pain of separation from loved ones; the pain of separation from loved ones

敬天愛人

けいてんあいじん

revere heaven, love people; revere heaven, love people

寵愛一身

ちょうあいいっしん

standing highest in one's master's favor; monopolizing the affection (favor) of the lord; being the lord's favorite lady; standing highest in one's master's favor

和顔愛語

わがんあいご

with a gentle face and a nice word; with a gentle face and a nice word

愛及屋烏

あいきゅうおくう

infatuation; doting; infatuation

愛は盲目

あいはもうもく

Love is blind; Love makes one overlook faults

Related Figures

愛新覚羅溥儀

Aisin-Gioro Puyi1906-1967

The Last Emperor of China's Qing Dynasty, later puppet emperor of Manchukuo.