I think I will avoid discussions of controversial topics in the English language. It is too poor and ambiguous a language. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For example, “love” condenses at least 6 different diffrent concepts in Greek and 11 in Japanese. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It’s far too easy to misunderstand each other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
I already knew about japanese, but I must thank my daughter who is attending classical lyceum who extensively and patiently explained me all the different words meaning “love”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- Ag\u00e1pe<\/a><\/em> (\u1f00\u03b3\u03ac\u03c0\u03b7, ag\u00e1p\u0113<\/em>[1]<\/a><\/sup>) means “love: esp. brotherly love, charity; the love of God for person and of person for God”.[2]<\/a><\/sup> Agape<\/em> is used in ancient texts to denote feelings for one’s children and the feelings for a spouse, and it was also used to refer to a love feast<\/a>.[3]<\/a><\/sup> Agape is used by Christians to express the unconditional love of God for His children.[4]<\/a><\/sup>[non-primary source needed<\/a><\/em>]<\/sup> This type of love was further explained by Thomas Aquinas<\/a> as “to will the good of another”.[5]<\/a><\/sup><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- \u00c9ros<\/a><\/em> (\u1f14\u03c1\u03c9\u03c2, \u00e9r\u014ds<\/em>) means “love, mostly of the sexual passion”.[6]<\/a><\/sup> The Modern Greek word “erotas<\/em>” means “intimate love”. Plato<\/a> refined his own definition: Although eros<\/em> is initially felt for a person, with contemplation it becomes an appreciation of the beauty within that person, or even becomes appreciation of beauty itself. Plato does not talk of physical attraction as a necessary part of love, hence the use of the word platonic<\/a> to mean “without physical attraction”. In the Symposium<\/a><\/em>, an ancient work on the subject, Plato has Socrates<\/a> argue that eros<\/em> helps the soul<\/a> recall knowledge of beauty and contributes to an understanding of spiritual truth, the ideal form of youthful beauty that leads us humans to feel erotic desire \u2013 thus suggesting that even that sensually based love aspires to the non-corporeal, spiritual plane of existence; that is, finding its truth, just like finding any truth, leads to transcendence.[7]<\/a><\/sup> Lovers and philosophers are all inspired to seek truth through the means of eros<\/em>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Philia<\/a><\/em> (\u03c6\u03b9\u03bb\u03af\u03b1, phil\u00eda<\/em>) means “affectionate regard, friendship”, usually “between equals”.[8]<\/a><\/sup> It is a dispassionate virtuous love, a concept developed by Aristotle<\/a>.[9]<\/a><\/sup> In his best-known work on ethics, Nicomachean Ethics<\/a><\/em>, philia<\/em> is expressed variously as loyalty to friends (specifically, “brotherly love”), family, and community, and requires virtue, equality, and familiarity. Furthermore, in the same text philos<\/em> is also the root of philautia<\/a><\/em> denoting self-love and arising from it, a general type of love, used for love between family, between friends, a desire or enjoyment of an activity, as well as between lovers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Storge<\/a><\/em> (\u03c3\u03c4\u03bf\u03c1\u03b3\u03ae, storg\u0113<\/em>) means “love, affection” and “especially of parents and children”.[10]<\/a><\/sup> It is the common or natural empathy, like that felt by parents for offspring.[11]<\/a><\/sup> Rarely used in ancient works, and then almost exclusively as a descriptor of relationships within the family. It is also known to express mere acceptance or putting up with situations, as in “loving” the tyrant. This is also used when referencing the love for one’s country or a favorite sports team.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Philautia<\/a><\/em> (\u03c6\u03b9\u03bb\u03b1\u03c5\u03c4\u03af\u03b1<\/a>, philaut\u00eda<\/em>) means “self-love”. To love oneself or “regard for one’s own happiness or advantage”[12]<\/a><\/sup>[full citation needed<\/a><\/em>]<\/sup> has been conceptualized both as a basic human necessity[13]<\/a><\/sup> and as a moral flaw<\/a>, akin to vanity<\/a> and selfishness<\/a>,[14]<\/a><\/sup> synonymous with amour-propre<\/a><\/em> or egotism<\/a>. The Greeks further divided this love into positive and negative: one, the unhealthy version, is the self-obsessed love, and the other is the concept of self-compassion.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Xenia<\/a><\/em> (\u03be\u03b5\u03bd\u03af\u03b1<\/a>, xen\u00eda<\/em>) is an ancient Greek<\/a> concept of hospitality<\/a>. It is sometimes translated as “guest-friendship” or “ritualized friendship”. It is an institutionalized relationship rooted in generosity, gift exchange, and reciprocity.[15]<\/a><\/sup> Historically, hospitality towards foreigners and guests (Hellenes<\/a> not of your polis<\/a>) was understood as a moral obligation. Hospitality towards foreign Hellenes honored Zeus Xenios<\/em> (and Athene Xenia<\/em>) patrons of foreigners.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nhttps:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Greek_words_for_love<\/a><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
\n1. Ai (\u611b) \u2013 Real Love, Deep Love, Profound Love<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Ai<\/strong> (\u611b) is the general term for love<\/strong> that is most commonly used when you ask someone what the Japanese word for love<\/strong> is. Its translates as \u201clove<\/strong>\u201c, \u201caffection<\/strong>\u201c, and \u201ccare<\/strong>\u201d (source<\/a>), but it actually means \u201creal love<\/strong>\u201c, \u201cdeep love<\/strong>\u201c, or \u201cprofound love<\/strong>\u201c.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While in English it is common to say \u201cI love dogs\u201d or \u201cI love pizza\u201d, in Japanese you would never use the word Ai <\/strong>(\u611b) in these kinds of situations. It is only used when you have real profound feelings of love<\/strong> and developed them slowly and gradually over time<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Once you are able to love unselfishly<\/strong> in an everlasting relationship<\/strong> where you have complete faith<\/strong> in the other person and feel entirely at ease<\/strong> you can call it Ai<\/strong> (\u611b). However, when you have reached that point you are more likely to express your love with gestures<\/strong> than with words. So there is actually no need to use it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. Koi (\u604b) \u2013 Romantic Love, Passionate Love<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The Japanese word Koi<\/strong> (\u604b) translates as \u201clove<\/strong>\u201d or \u201cyearning<\/strong>\u201d and is the closest Japanese word to what we consider love in western cultures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In contrast to the profound Ai (\u611b) it stands for \u201cromantic love<\/strong>\u201d or \u201cpassionate love<\/strong>\u201c. You can use it when you have just fallen in love<\/strong> with someone and your feelings are still developing<\/strong> or when you are head over heels<\/strong> and longing for someone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Think of Koi<\/strong> (\u604b) as the first sweet feelings of love<\/strong> and the intense out-of-control passion<\/strong> that you experience at the start of a relationship or when you have a crush<\/strong> on someone. With time your romantic feelings<\/strong> of \u201cKoi\u201d will turn into profound feelings<\/strong> of \u201cAi\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another difference is that the Japanese word Koi<\/strong> (\u604b) can stand for selfish love and wanting<\/strong> (source<\/a>), while Ai (\u611b) stands for unselfish love and giving. Whenever you think \u201cI want to be loved<\/strong>\u201d or silently beg your partner \u201cgive me love<\/strong>\u201d the word Koi<\/strong> feels more appropriate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the phrase \u201cto fall in love<\/strong>\u201d the word \u201cKoi<\/strong>\u201d is used, too. In Japanese, you say Koi ni ochiru<\/strong> (\u604b\u306b\u843d\u3061\u308b) and not \u201cAi ni ochiru\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3. Aijou (\u611b\u60c5) \u2013 Feeling of Love or Affection For Someone<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Aijou<\/strong> (\u611b\u60c5) is another Japanese word<\/strong> that translates as \u201clove<\/strong>\u201d or \u201caffection<\/strong>\u201c. It consists of \u611b, ai<\/strong> the kanji for love, and \u60c5, jou<\/strong> the kanji for feelings, emotions, compassion, sympathy, passion, affection, and love.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While Ai (\u611b) is the general term you can use when discussing the topic of love or when talking about love as a feeling, Aijou<\/strong> (\u611b\u60c5) is only used when talking about feelings of love for someone or from someone<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For example when you talk about the love<\/strong> you have received from your husband or wife<\/strong> or when you went to express your parental affection for your kids<\/strong> you would use the word \u201cAijou<\/strong>\u201c.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As you can see from the examples the word is not only used in reference to romantic relationships<\/strong>. Aijou<\/strong> can also be used to convey affectionate feelings<\/strong> for family members<\/strong> and close friends<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4. Renai (\u604b\u611b) \u2013 Objective Word for Love or Romance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The next term Renai<\/strong> (\u604b\u611b) consists of the first two Japanese words for \u201clove\u201d we have learned Koi (\u604b) and Ai (\u611b). If you look it up in a dictionary it translates as love<\/strong>, love-making<\/strong>, passion<\/strong>, emotion<\/strong>, and affections<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Basically, it has the same meaning as the word Koi \u201cromantic love<\/strong>\u201c, but it is used as a somewhat technical or formal term<\/strong> in articles and the news. Since Renai<\/strong> is a Sino-Japanese word that originated in China it has a less romantic<\/strong> and more objective feeling<\/strong> when you use it in Japanese.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Of course, you can use the word Renai in casual situations<\/strong>, too. Just be aware that it will sound more formal or neutral and less lovey-dovey<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
5. Omoi (\u60f3\u3044) \u2013 Ambiguous Word That Can Mean Love<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
This Japanese word needs a bit of explanation so please bear with me. It is usually written as \u601d\u3044 (omoi) and is most commonly translated as \u201cthought\u201d, \u201cimagination\u201d, or just \u201cfeelings\u201d. However, since the Meiji period, it has been more and more used to also express romantic feelings of \u201clove<\/strong>\u201d and \u201caffection<\/strong>\u201c.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There is an alternative version<\/strong> that is written as \u60f3\u3044 (omoi). The usual version \u601d\u3044 is used when thinking rationally, while the alternative form \u60f3\u3044 implies the involvement of feelings<\/strong>. In Japanese songs, you will find both versions, but especially \u60f3\u3044 (omoi) used as an ambiguous word for love<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So if you don\u2019t want to admit your love straight away but just vaguely express your feelings for someone<\/strong> you can use the word<\/strong> \u201cOmoi<\/strong>\u201c. The word\u2019s ambiguity is probably also the reason why it is often used in lyrics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
6. Aikou (\u611b\u597d) \u2013 Love or Adoration for Something<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Aikou<\/strong> (\u611b\u597d) is the Japanese word for love you should use when you are a big fan<\/strong> of something or when you are really into a hobby<\/strong>. It translates as \u201cadoration<\/strong>\u201d and \u201clove<\/strong>\u201d but in the sense of being really passionate<\/strong> about it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can use the word to say things like \u201cI love music<\/strong>\u201d (Ongaku o aikou suru, \u97f3\u697d\u3092\u611b\u597d\u3059\u308b) or more general statements such as \u201cFrench people like art<\/strong>\u201d (Furansujin wa geijutsu wo aikou suru, \u30d5\u30e9\u30f3\u30b9\u4eba\u306f\u82b8\u8853\u3092\u611b\u597d\u3059\u308b).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you add the suffix ka<\/strong> (\u5bb6) to Aikou<\/strong> you get Aikouka<\/strong> (\u611b\u597d\u5bb6) which translates as \u201centhusiast<\/strong>\u201c, \u201cfan<\/strong>\u201c, or \u201clover<\/strong>\u201c. So you can talk about nature lovers<\/strong> which are \u201cShizen aikouka\u201d (\u81ea\u7136\u611b\u597d\u5bb6) in Japanese or car lovers<\/strong> aka \u201cKuruma Aikouka\u201d (\u8eca\u611b\u597d\u5bb6).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
7. Rabu (\u30e9\u30d6) \u2013 English Loanword For Love<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Next on the list, we have the English loanword for love<\/strong> which is Rabu<\/strong> (\u30e9\u30d6). It is used in all kinds of Japanese words such as Raburetaa<\/strong> (love letter<\/strong>, \u30e9\u30d6\u30ec\u30bf\u30fc), Rabusongu<\/strong> (love song<\/strong>, \u30e9\u30d6\u30bd\u30f3\u30b0), Rabu Sutoorii<\/strong> (love story<\/strong>, \u30e9\u30d6\u30b9\u30c8\u30fc\u30ea\u30fc).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, similar to Renai (\u604b\u611b), the Chinese loanword for love, Rabu (\u30e9\u30d6) doesn\u2019t sound romantic or passionate<\/strong>. It is mostly used in a joking way<\/strong> or when no real feelings of love<\/strong> are involved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There is also the word Rabu rabu<\/strong> (\u30e9\u30d6\u30e9\u30d6) which means \u201clovey-dovey<\/strong>\u201d or \u201chead over heels in love<\/strong>\u201c. It depicts exactly what Koi (romantic love, passionate love) feels like.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
8. Suki (\u597d\u304d) \u2013 Like, Love, I Love You<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The most basic and common translation of the word suki<\/strong> (\u597d\u304d) is \u201clike<\/strong>\u201c. However, in Japan, this phrase is frequently used to tell someone that you love them<\/strong>. Especially when you have just started dating or when you confess your love<\/strong> for the first time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Simply saying suki<\/strong> (\u597d\u304d) is enough to express that you like\/love something<\/strong> or that you are in love with somebody<\/strong>. However, you can also use the expression \u201c(person\/thing) ga suki\u201d (\u301c\u304c\u597d\u304d) to say \u201cI like\/love (person\/thing)\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you want to say \u201cI love you\u201d to a friend you should also use suki.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
9. Daisuki (\u5927\u597d\u304d) \u2013 Like Very Much, Love, I Love You<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Daisuki<\/strong> (\u5927\u597d\u304d) is very similar to suki, but it means \u201clike very much<\/strong>\u201d or \u201clove<\/strong>\u201c. While the soft suki is often used to confess your love before the start of a relationship, you can use the more profound daisuki<\/strong> (\u5927\u597d\u304d) to say \u201cI love you\u201d<\/strong> once you are in a relationship <\/strong>with someone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Again, simply say daisuki<\/strong> (\u5927\u597d\u304d) to say \u201cI love you\/it\u201d or use the expression \u201c(person\/thing) ga daisuki\u201d (\u301c\u304c\u5927\u597d\u304d) to say \u201cI really like\/love (person\/thing)\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I anime and manga, the word daisuki is also frequently used to tell a friend that you love them, however, in real life this is less common.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
10. Aishiteru (\u611b\u3057\u3066\u308b) \u2013 I Love You<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
When you ask someone for the Japanese word for love the usual answer is Ai (\u611b). When you ask someone \u201cHow do you say \u201cI love you\u201d in Japanese?\u201d the common answer is Aishiteru<\/strong> (\u611b\u3057\u3066\u308b)<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And indeed Aishiteru means \u201cI love you\u201d<\/strong> but just like the word \u201cAi\u201d, the phrasehas such a powerful meaning that it is only used to express sincere and deep love<\/strong> that has been developing over a long time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So it is usually only used in a long-term relationship<\/strong> or between a married couple<\/strong>. However, even then Japanese rarely use Aishiteru<\/strong> to say \u201cI love you\u201d. You can read more about that in my post \u201cWhat does \u201cAishiteru\u201d mean in Japanese<\/a>\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n
11. Koishiteru (\u604b\u3057\u3066\u308b) \u2013 I Love You<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
We already talked about the Japanese word Koi (\u604b) which means \u201cromantic love\u201d or \u201cpassionate love\u201d. Just like \u201cAishiteru\u201d, you can say Koishiteru<\/strong> or Koi shiteru<\/strong> (\u604b\u3057\u3066\u308b) which means \u201cI love you<\/strong>\u201d in English. However, it is