愛する

• Reading: あいする
• Romaji: aisuru
• Kanji breakdown: 愛 (ai) — love, affection
• Pronunciation: /a.i.sɯ.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To love. A deep, sincere expression of love for people, places, or things.

An irregular Group 3 suru verb (愛する). More literary and formal than 好き, carrying a deeper emotional weight. Used for romantic love, love of country, or love of an art form. The passive form 愛される (to be loved) is very common. Conjugates as 愛する → 愛して → 愛した.

Examples

1. 彼は家族を心から愛している。 He loves his family from the bottom of his heart.
2. 多くの人に愛される歌手になりたい。 I want to become a singer loved by many people.
3. 故郷を愛する気持ちは誰にでもある。 Everyone has a feeling of love for their hometown.

Usage Guide

Context: literature, relationships, speeches

Tone: emotional

Origin & History

From 愛 (ai, love) combined with する (to do). The kanji 愛 depicts a person with a heart, breathing softly over someone — an image of tender affection.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal