恋(こい)

こい
noun
love, romance
See also: 鯉(こい) (carp (fish))
1. love, romance
Romantic feelings for someone.
恋(こい)に落(お)ちた。
I fell in love.
初恋(はつこい)を思(おも)い出(だ)す。
To remember one's first love.
恋(こい)をすると毎日(まいにち)が楽(たの)しくなる。
When you're in love, every day becomes more fun.

恋(こい) refers specifically to romantic love or longing for a particular person. It carries a sense of passion and yearning.

CONTRAST WITH 愛(あい):

  • 恋(こい): romantic love, passionate longing (often one-sided or early-stage)
  • 愛(あい): love (broader, deeper, includes family, devotion, and mature love)
  • 恋(こい) is more about feelings; 愛(あい) is more about commitment.

COMMON EXPRESSIONS:

  • 恋(こい)をする: to fall in love
  • 恋(こい)に落(お)ちる: to fall in love (more dramatic)
  • 恋(こい)に悩(なや)む: to be troubled by love

COMPOUNDS:

  • 恋人(こいびと): lover, boyfriend/girlfriend
  • 初恋(はつこい): first love
  • 失恋(しつれん): heartbreak
  • 恋愛(れんあい): romance, love affair
  • 片思(かたおも)い: unrequited love

Related Words

Contrast: 愛(あい) (love (deeper, broader))
general
Added 2026.1.9 21:02 · Revised 2026.4.5 16:46
02000/02208_koi