Ch 2 · Lesson 39Mandarin · Chapter 2 · Lesson 39 · Grammar primer
Liking and loving: 喜欢 (xǐhuan) and 爱 (ài)
for nearly everything you like, (ài) when you mean it: the people you are close to, a country, a real passion.
The short version
。Wǒ xǐhuan pǎobù.
Why?Hide
With a noun object, Mandarin keeps (ài) for people you are close to, a country, or a genuine passion - not the casual 'I love pizza' English throws around. For a food you simply enjoy, (xǐ huan) is the natural choice. Before a verb (ài) relaxes: (wǒ ài pǎo bù) is fine, it just sounds keener than (wǒ xǐ huan pǎo bù).
(xǐhuan) is "to like", for almost anything. (ài) is "to love", and with a noun Mandarin keeps it for people, countries and real passions. Both take a noun or a whole activity straight after them, and both are negated with (bù).
The pair on one screen
The colours stay the same all page long:
| Use | Hanzi | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| A thing | 。 | Wǒ xǐhuan chá. | I like tea |
| An activity | 。 | Wǒ xǐhuan yóuyǒng. | I like swimming |
| A person, deeply | 。 | Wǒ ài nǐ. | I love you |
| A habit or passion | 。 | Tā ài chàng gē. | She loves singing |
| Negative | 。 | Wǒ bù xǐhuan kāfēi. | I don't like coffee |
- 喜欢 xǐhuan
- 很喜欢 hěn xǐhuan
- 爱 ài
喜欢 (xǐhuan): the everyday word for liking
(xǐhuan) covers food, colours, hobbies, films, animals and people you get on with. When you are not sure the feeling is strong enough for (ài), it is the safe choice:
| Hanzi | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
。 | Wǒ xǐhuan chī píngguǒ. | I like eating apples |
？ | Nǐ xǐhuan shénme yùndòng? | What sport do you like? |
。 | Wǒ xǐhuan zhège yánsè. | I like this colour |
。 | Tā xǐhuan wǒ de péngyou. | He likes my friend |
That last one usually means he gets on with them; context can make it a crush.
(xǐhuan) is a verb, not an adjective, so it needs no (hěn). Add (hěn) only when you mean "a lot", and (zuì) for "best":
。(Wǒ hěn xǐhuan zhè běn shū.) - I like this book a lot.。(Wǒ zuì xǐhuan chá.) - I like tea best.
爱 (ài): stronger, and narrower with a noun
With a noun after it, (ài) is for people you are close to, a country or cause, and real passions:
| Hanzi | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
。 | Tā ài tā de tàitai. | He loves his wife |
。 | Fùmǔ ài zìjǐ de háizi. | Parents love their children |
。 | Tā fēicháng ài tā de guójiā. | She loves her country dearly |
。 | Wǒ ài nǐ. | I love you |
(wǒ ài nǐ) is for romance and close family; said to an ordinary friend it sounds odd.
爱 (ài) + a verb: loves doing, or tends to do
Before a verb, (ài) relaxes. It says someone loves doing something, or simply does it a lot:
| Hanzi | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
。 | Tā ài chàng gē. | She loves singing |
。 | Wǒ ài chī là. | I love spicy food |
。 | Tā bú ài shuōhuà. | He isn't one for talking |
For a hobby, (wǒ xǐhuan pǎobù), I like running, is the safe default. (wǒ ài pǎobù) is also fine and just sounds keener.
Going further: Both attach straight onto another verb and the rest of the guide, when you want them. This lesson does not need them.
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Lesson 39 of 44 in this chapter