恋(こい)

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

Similar words

• 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