How To Write The Japanese Kanji For Love [+ FREE Printable]

Curious about writing Japanese kanji for love? These beautiful characters can express feelings that sometimes words in English can't capture. Whether you're writing a note to someone special, looking for a Japanese-inspired tattoo, or just growing your language skills, learning these kanji is both useful and meaningful.

In this post, I'll show you how to write and use the main Japanese kanji for love, with clear, step-by-step guides, meanings, and common phrases. I'll also introduce you to three key kanjis related to love (愛, 恋, and 好), their different meanings, and how to use them in the Japanese language correctly.

Japanese Kanji For Love

Japanese people have multiple ways to express love in their language, each with its own feelings and uses. Let's look at the main kanji and how to write them properly.

愛 - Ai

The kanji 愛 (ai) stands for deep, lasting love. This isn't just any kind of love—it's the mature, serious kind that includes family love, deep friendships, and committed relationships. The kanji 愛 takes 13 strokes to write, and its radical (the core component) is "kokoro" (heart), showing its connection to emotion.

When writing 愛, make the first stroke horizontally folded over and keep the second, third, and fourth strokes smaller. The fifth stroke should angle slightly outward, and the sixth horizontal stroke should angle slightly up to the right.

Common phrases with 愛

• 愛してる (aishiteru) - I love you (very serious)
• 愛情 (aijō) - affection, love
• 家族愛 (kazokuai) - family love
• 自己愛 (jikoai) - self-love

The phrase 愛してる (ai shiteru) is serious business in Japanese culture. It's not something to say unless you're very seriously involved with someone—"thinking-maybe-this-is-forever level of serious".

恋 - Koi

The kanji 恋 (koi) represents romantic feelings and attraction. This kanji specifically points to "love for the opposite sex" and "longing for a specific person," while 愛 (ai) represents a more general feeling of love. To write Koi in Kanji, follow this:

Common phrases with 恋

• 恋に落ちる (koi ni ochiru) - to fall in love
• 恋する (koi suru) - to love someone romantically
• 恋人 (koibito) - lover, boyfriend/girlfriend
• 初恋 (hatsukoi) - first love

You can use 恋 not only for a person but for something you truly love and desire. For example, "私は京都に恋しています" (Watashi wa Kyōto ni koishite imasu) means you genuinely love Kyoto and have a strong desire to go there.

好き - Suki

While technically not a single kanji but a kanji with hiragana (好き), this is one of the most common expressions for like and love in Japanese. To write the Kanji part of suki, follow this:

The full word 好き is written as 好 + き (ki in hiragana).

Common phrases with 好き

• 好きです (suki desu) - I like you/I love you
• 大好き (daisuki) - I really like/love you
• 好きな食べ物 (sukina tabemono) - favorite food

Suki (好き) means "I like you" or "I love you". The word daisuki (大好き) is a bit stronger and means "I really like you" or "I love you," while aishiteru (愛してる) is the most romantic phrase that can be used to say "I love you" in Japanese.

"Suki" translates best to "like," but it's used in Japan to express romantic interest. You can also use it to say that you like something, like food or anything else. Context matters a lot in Japanese!

Other Japanese Kanjis Related To Love

Beyond the main love kanji, Japanese has several other characters that express different types of affection:

慈 - Ji (Compassion)

This kanji represents compassionate love or loving-kindness.

• 慈愛 (jiai) - tender love, affection
• 慈悲 (jihi) - mercy, compassion

情 - Jō (Emotion)

This kanji relates to feelings and emotions, often appearing in love-related words.

• 情熱 (jōnetsu) - passion
• 感情 (kanjō) - emotion, feeling
• 友情 (yūjō) - friendship

Tips For Writing Japanese Kanji

When learning to write kanji, keep these tips in mind:

• Follow stroke order: Japanese kanji have specific stroke orders that help with recognition and proper form. Always remember that the general flow when writing a character is starting from the top left corner and finishing at the bottom right corner.
• Practice with grid paper: Writing on grid paper helps you master the balance of a symbol.
• Start slowly: Focus on getting the stroke order right before working on speed.
• Learn the radicals: Understanding the building blocks of kanji makes learning new characters easier.

Writing practice builds muscle memory and helps you notice the differences between similar-looking characters.

Cultural Notes On Expressing Love In Japanese

In Japan, physical displays of affection like kissing or hugging in public are uncommon. Most couples might hold hands, but public displays beyond that are seen as inappropriate.

Japanese people are generally more conservative and less open about their feelings compared to many Western cultures. Some Japanese people don't even remember the last time they used the word "suki" (好き).

When expressing love in Japanese, remember that subtlety is valued. The context and relationship determine which expression is most appropriate, from the casual 好き (suki) to the serious 愛してる (aishiteru).

Learning these kanji opens a window into how Japanese culture views and expresses love—where actions often speak louder than words, and the unsaid can carry as much meaning as what's spoken.

Ready To Take Your Japanese Journey Further?

Now that you've got the basics of writing love in Japanese kanji, why not take your learning to the next level? With Lingopie, you can practice these kanji and many others in real-world contexts.

Lingopie makes learning Japanese fun and practical through TV shows, movies, and music. Instead of just memorizing kanji, you'll see how they're actually used by native speakers. Watch your favorite anime, J-dramas, or Japanese movies with interactive subtitles that let you click on any word to see its meaning and save it for later practice.

The best part about learning Japanese this way? You'll pick up natural expressions that textbooks often miss. See how real Japanese people express feelings like love (愛, 恋, and 好き) in everyday conversations!

Start your free trial on Lingopie today and turn your interest in Japanese kanji into real language skills. Your journey from writing love in kanji to speaking Japanese confidently is just a click away!

Frequently Asked Questions About Japanese Love Kanji

1. What's the difference between using 好き (suki) and 愛してる (aishiteru)?

These express very different levels of emotional commitment in Japanese. 好き (suki) works for casual situations—you can use it for things you enjoy like food or hobbies, but also to tell someone you like them romantically. It's much more common in daily life. On the other hand, 愛してる (aishiteru) carries serious weight and signals deep, committed love. Most Japanese couples might date for years without saying 愛してる, saving it for truly meaningful moments.

2. Can I use these kanji in a tattoo?

Yes, many people get Japanese love kanji as tattoos, but research carefully first! The kanji 愛 (ai) is more commonly used for tattoos than 恋 (koi) since it represents a broader concept of love. Make sure to check the stroke order with a native speaker or professional calligrapher if possible, as small mistakes can change the meaning. Also consider the size and placement—these kanji need enough space to show their details clearly.

3. How do I practice writing love kanji correctly?

Start with graph paper to help maintain proper proportions. Begin slowly, focusing on the correct stroke order rather than speed. Watch video demonstrations or use apps that show stroke-by-stroke animation. Practice regularly with a pencil before moving to brush pens or ink. Take photos of your writing and ask for feedback from teachers or online communities. Remember that muscle memory develops through consistent practice.

4. Are there regional differences in how these love kanji are used?

While the kanji themselves remain consistent across Japan, the expressions surrounding them can vary by region. For example, Kansai dialect might use different sentence patterns when expressing affection compared to standard Tokyo Japanese. The basic meanings stay the same, but the way people express romantic feelings can reflect local speech patterns and cultural norms. The kanji themselves are universal throughout Japan.

5. How can I remember which kanji to use in different situations?

Think of them as representing different stages or types of love. 好き (suki) works for casual liking or early attraction—what you might feel toward a new crush or favorite movie. 恋 (koi) points to romantic passion and longing—the butterflies-in-stomach feeling. 愛 (ai) signifies deep, mature love that includes commitment and care—what sustains long relationships. Picture them as steps on a ladder of emotional intensity, with each one fitting specific relationship contexts.