恋爱
liànài · HSK 5
romantic attachment
💕 恋爱 = liàn (long for) + ài (love); 'longing-love' = romance
恋 means to yearn or feel attached, 爱 means love. Together they name the state of being in a romantic relationship, not just affection. Common verb: 谈恋爱, literally 'to discuss love' = to date.
爱 — 爫 (claw) + 冖 (cover) + 心 (heart) + 夂 (slow walk)
Originally written 㤅, showing a heart 心 with breath above, depicting deep feeling. The modern form adds 夂 (a slow-walking foot) below, suggesting reluctance to leave a loved one. The traditional form 愛 keeps 心 inside; simplified 爱 drops the heart but retains the meaning 'love, cherish'.