愛 / 爱
oi³
The word for love in Cantonese is 愛 / 爱 (oi³). Wiktionary also lists 愛情 / 爱情 (oi³ cing⁴).
Meaning: strong affection (noun)
Ways to say it
| Cantonese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 愛 / 爱 | oi³ |
| 愛情 / 爱情 | oi³ cing⁴ |
Depending on the context, Cantonese uses different words to express affection. 愛 / 爱 can be used as a verb meaning 'to love' or as a noun for strong affection. For a more specific reference to romantic love or a love affair, the term 愛情 / 爱情 is used. Additionally, the phrase 做愛 / 做爱 serves as a common euphemism meaning 'to make love'.
Which one should you use?
The single character 愛 / 爱 (oi3) functions as the verb 'to love', whereas 愛情 / 爱情 (oi3 cing4) is a noun specifically used to describe 'romantic love'.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
oi³
Did you know?
- While 愛 / 爱 is the noun for love, Cantonese speakers may use the word 心肝, meaning 'heart and liver', as a term of endearment for someone they love deeply.
- In some Cantonese pop songs, the concept of 'love' is often linked to the phrase 緣分 (jyun4 fan6), which refers to a 'predestined affinity' or 'fate' that brings lovers together.
- In traditional Cantonese culture, saying 愛 / 爱 is often considered too intense for daily use. Family members frequently express love through the phrase 我好掛住你 meaning 'I miss you' or by providing food.
Examples in context
- 我愛你。I love you.
- 我愛唱歌。I love singing.
- 我好鍾意同你一齊玩。I really like playing with you.
- 我鍾意你。I like you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “love” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
