恋 (liàn) - love & to be in love with

恋Tone 4

liàn ｜ 10 strokes ｜ radical:

俊梁

恋 · liàn

love;

to be in love with;

to feel attached to;

often implies romantic love or deep affection.

loveto be in love withto feel attached to

Usage highlights

to be in lovefirst loveto love one's homelandto be lovesicksecret loveunrequited love

Synonyms

  • 爱— love (broader term, can be familial, platonic, or romantic)
  • 慕— admire, yearn for

Antonyms

  • 恨— hate
  • 厌— detest, dislike

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • They are in love (恋爱).
  • I love my hometown (恋家).
  • She is nostalgic for her school days (恋校).
  • First love is unforgettable (初恋).

Collocations

  • to be in love(恋爱)
  • first love(初恋)
  • to love one's homeland(恋乡)
  • to be lovesick(恋恋不舍)
  • secret love(暗恋)
  • unrequited love(单恋)

Idioms

  • Reluctant to part(恋恋不舍)
  • Love at first sight(一见钟情)
  • Deeply attached and unable to let go(难分难舍)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • The character 恋 is strongly associated with romantic love in modern Chinese culture.
  • In traditional context, it can also represent attachment to places, memories, or the past.
  • Appears frequently in literature, poetry, and songs about love and longing.

FAQ