热爱

• Pinyin: rè ài
• Hanzi breakdown: 热 = 执 (grasp) + 灬 (fire), meaning hot or passionate; 爱 = simplified from 愛, with 心 (heart) at centre, meaning love

Meaning

To love passionately; to have a deep love for. Describes a fervent, wholehearted devotion.

Stronger and more passionate than 喜欢 (like) or even 爱 (love). Used for deep devotion to one's country (热爱祖国), career (热爱工作), life (热爱生活), or pursuits. Rarely used for romantic love between individuals — that's typically 爱. Conveys dedication and emotional investment beyond casual liking.

Examples

1. 她从小就热爱音乐，一直坚持学钢琴。 She has passionately loved music since childhood and has kept learning piano.
2. 我们应该热爱自己的工作。 We should love our work wholeheartedly.
3. 他是一个热爱生活的人。 He is a person who loves life deeply.

Usage Guide

Context: career, patriotism, passions, life philosophy

Tone: passionate

Do Say

• 她热爱舞蹈，每天都练习。(She passionately loves dancing and practises every day.)
• 我们要热爱和平。(We should fervently love peace.)

Don't Say

• 我热爱你。(Don't use 热爱 for romantic love to a partner — it sounds like a political slogan. Say 我爱你 for romantic contexts.)

Origin & History

热 means hot or passionate; 爱 means love. Together they describe a love that burns hot — an intense, passionate devotion that goes beyond ordinary affection.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal