Definition
怜爱 means 'to love tenderly' or 'to cherish with affection', combining 怜 (to feel tender sympathy) and 爱 (to love). It's used for the gentle, protective love you feel toward someone vulnerable or endearing — a child, a pet, a romantic partner in a soft moment. It's stronger than 喜欢 but softer than 爱, and it always carries a sense of warmth and care, not passion or duty.
v.
to love tenderlyto cherish with affection (toward someone vulnerable or endearing)
Examples
- ,怜爱。Tā kànzhe shúshuì de háizi, xīnzhōng chōngmǎn le lián ài.She looked at the sleeping child, her heart full of tender love.
- ,怜爱。Nà zhī xiǎo māo hěn kě'ài, ràng rén rěnbúzhù lián ài.That kitten was so cute it made people can't help but feel tender affection.
- ,怜爱。Tā wēnróu de fǔmō tā de tóufa, yǎnshén lǐ mǎn shì lián ài.He gently stroked her hair, his eyes full of tender love.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.