Xī'ài signifies a deep, heartfelt love and cherishing of someone or something.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Deeply loved, cherished, and adored.
- Expresses profound affection and attachment.
- Used for people, objects, or passions.
Overview
心爱（xīn ài）是一个汉语词语，主要用作形容词，表示极其喜爱、珍爱。它强调的是一种发自内心的、非常深厚的喜爱之情，常常用来形容自己非常珍视的人、物或事物。这个词语在日常生活中使用广泛，能够生动地表达出对某人或某物的依恋和珍视。
心爱通常用作定语，修饰名词，例如“心爱的人”、“心爱的玩具”、“心爱的书籍”等。它也可以用作谓语，但相对较少见，通常需要搭配“是”或“属于”等词语。例如：“这个小熊是我心爱的。”
心爱常常出现在以下语境中：
**亲情与友情**：形容父母对子女的疼爱，或者朋友之间深厚的感情。
例如：“这是我心爱的小孙女。”
**物品与收藏**：描述对某个物品的珍爱，可能是因为它的价值、纪念意义或者个人喜好。
例如：“这把吉他是我的心爱之物，陪伴了我很多年。”
**爱好与事业**：表达对某种爱好、艺术或事业的投入和热爱。
例如：“音乐是她心爱的事业，她为此付出了很多努力。”
与“心爱”相似的词语包括“喜爱”、“喜欢”、“珍爱”、“宠爱”等。
- 喜爱：比“喜欢”程度更深，但可能不如“心爱”那样强调“发自内心”和“珍视”。
- 喜欢：是最基础的表达好感的词语，程度较浅。
- 珍爱：侧重于“珍惜”和“爱护”，强调保护和不舍得失去。
- 宠爱：多用于长辈对晚辈，带有纵容和娇惯的意味。
“心爱”的独特之处在于它将“心”（内心）和“爱”结合，直接点明了情感的来源和深度，是一种非常个人化且深情的表达。
Examples
这是我心爱的小狗，它非常聪明。
everydayThis is my beloved little dog; it's very smart.
她把这枚戒指视为自己最心爱的饰品。
formalShe regards this ring as her most cherished piece of jewelry.
这件旧毛衣虽然不值钱，但我心爱着它。
informalAlthough this old sweater isn't valuable, I treasure it dearly.
艺术家倾注了毕生心血，创作出这部心爱之作。
academicThe artist poured a lifetime of effort into creating this beloved masterpiece.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
我的心爱
my beloved
心爱之宝
cherished treasure
心爱的事业
beloved career/vocation
Often Confused With
'喜爱' (xǐ'ài) is a more general term for liking or fondness, with a lesser degree of emotional intensity compared to '心爱' (xīn ài), which implies deep affection and cherishing.
'喜欢' (xǐhuān) is the most basic term for liking something, indicating a mild preference or enjoyment. '心爱' expresses a much stronger, heartfelt emotional connection.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
The word '心爱' conveys a deep sense of personal affection and cherishing. It is often used to describe things or people that hold significant emotional value. While it can be used in formal contexts, it is also very common in everyday speech and writing when expressing personal feelings.
Common Mistakes
Learners might sometimes use '心爱' too broadly, applying it to situations where a simpler word like '喜欢' (like) would be more appropriate. It's important to reserve '心爱' for expressions of deeper emotional attachment.
Tips
Use 'Xī'ài' for Deep Affection
Use '心爱' when you want to express a profound and heartfelt love for someone or something, beyond simple liking.
Avoid Overuse in Casual Settings
While heartfelt, '心爱' can sound quite intense. Use it appropriately to avoid sounding overly dramatic in casual conversations.
Emphasizes Personal Value
The term highlights the personal and emotional value placed on something, reflecting a deep connection cherished by the individual.
Word Origin
The word '心爱' is a compound word. '心' (xīn) means 'heart' or 'mind,' and '爱' (ài) means 'love.' Together, they literally mean 'heart-loved,' emphasizing that the love comes from the deepest part of one's being.
Cultural Context
In Chinese culture, expressing deep affection through terms like '心爱' reflects the importance placed on sincere emotions and personal connections, whether towards family, friends, or cherished possessions.
Memory Tip
Think of '心爱' as 'heart-loved.' It's what your heart truly cherishes and holds dear.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions“心爱”比“喜爱”程度更深，更强调发自内心、珍视和依恋的感觉。 “喜爱”可以是对人或物的一般好感，而“心爱”则带有更强烈的感情色彩。
“心爱”可以用在人（如家人、伴侣）、物（如玩具、书籍、首饰）以及抽象事物（如爱好、事业）上，只要你对它们有深厚的感情和珍视的态度即可。
“心爱”表达的是一种非常深厚、真挚的感情，是发自内心的喜爱和珍爱，往往带有强烈的个人情感依恋。
“心爱”最常作定语，放在它所修饰的名词前面，例如“我心爱的小狗”。有时也可用作谓语，但需注意搭配。
Test Yourself
这是我___的吉他，它陪伴了我很多年。
句意强调吉他陪伴多年，表达深厚感情和珍爱，用“心爱”最贴切。
下列哪个词语最能表达对某物的深切珍爱？
“心爱”直接表达了发自内心的、非常珍视的情感。
请将以下词语组成一个通顺的句子：我的 / 孩子 / 是 / 心爱 / 的
这个句子结构完整，准确地表达了孩子是说话人心中最爱、最珍视的存在。
Score: /3
Summary
Xī'ài signifies a deep, heartfelt love and cherishing of someone or something.
- Deeply loved, cherished, and adored.
- Expresses profound affection and attachment.
- Used for people, objects, or passions.
Use 'Xī'ài' for Deep Affection
Use '心爱' when you want to express a profound and heartfelt love for someone or something, beyond simple liking.
Avoid Overuse in Casual Settings
While heartfelt, '心爱' can sound quite intense. Use it appropriately to avoid sounding overly dramatic in casual conversations.
Emphasizes Personal Value
The term highlights the personal and emotional value placed on something, reflecting a deep connection cherished by the individual.
Examples
4 of 4这是我心爱的小狗，它非常聪明。
This is my beloved little dog; it's very smart.
她把这枚戒指视为自己最心爱的饰品。
She regards this ring as her most cherished piece of jewelry.
这件旧毛衣虽然不值钱，但我心爱着它。
Although this old sweater isn't valuable, I treasure it dearly.
艺术家倾注了毕生心血，创作出这部心爱之作。
The artist poured a lifetime of effort into creating this beloved masterpiece.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
Related Vocabulary
More emotions words
有点
A1A little; somewhat; rather.
可恶
A2Hateful; detestable; abominable.
心不在焉
A2Absent-minded; preoccupied.
接受地
A2Acceptingly; receptively.
成就感
B1Sense of achievement; fulfillment.
撒娇
A2To act like a spoiled child; to act cute.
上瘾
B1To be addicted to something.
沉迷
A2To be addicted to; to be engrossed in.
敬佩
B1Admiration; respect; reverence.
佩服
B1To admire; to respect.
