可爱

• Pinyin: kě ài
• Hanzi breakdown: 可 (kě) — worthy of, able to; 爱 (ài) — to love — literally 'worthy of love'

Meaning

Cute; adorable; loveable. Describes something or someone that is endearing and pleasant to look at.

Used for children, animals, small objects, and sometimes adults. In modern Chinese, it has expanded beyond just appearance to describe charming personality traits.

Examples

1. 这只小猫真可爱。 This little cat is so cute.
2. 她的女儿非常可爱。 Her daughter is very adorable.
3. 你觉得这个玩具可爱吗？ Do you think this toy is cute?

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, compliments, animals

Tone: affectionate

Do Say

• 你家的小狗好可爱！(Your puppy is so cute!)
• 小朋友们都很可爱。(The children are all very adorable.)

Don't Say

• 不要对老板说'你很可爱' (Don't call your boss 可爱 — it can sound unprofessional or condescending)

Origin & History

Compound of 可 (worthy of, able to) and 爱 (to love). Literally 'worthy of love,' a vivid and ancient construction.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal