爱 ài
“to love; to be fond of; to like; affection; to be inclined (to do sth); to tend to (happen)”
verb, verb / noun, attributiveHSK 1 · 2021 list level 1Traditional 愛
新HSK等级2025 HSK 3.0 syllabus level
爱 appears in the November 2025 exam syllabus in the following numbered entry. Levels refer to the listed reading and use, not every meaning.
- Entry 1: 爱 ài — Level 1; official annotation 1 (动). PDF page 80
Separate from the HSK 2.0 and 2021 list labels above. Compare the three lists.
用法How to use 爱
爱 means "to love" or "to like" someone or something. It is a verb followed directly by the person or thing you love, and it can also take another verb to mean "love to do something" (爱看书).
例句Example sentences
- 我爱我的家人。wǒ ài wǒ de jiā rén.I love my family.
- 他很爱他的小狗。tā hěn ài tā de xiǎo gǒu.He really loves his little dog.
- 我爱看书。wǒ ài kàn shū.I love reading.
常见错误Common mistakes
-
✗我爱很中国菜。
✓我很爱中国菜。
Degree adverbs like 很 go before the verb 爱, not between the verb and its object.
易混词Easily confused
爱vs喜欢
喜欢 (xǐhuan) means "to like" and is milder than 爱, which suggests stronger feeling or love; for everyday preferences 喜欢 is often safer.