可爱
Traditional: 可愛
kě ài HSK 3

English Meaning

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📚 Example Sentences

这只猫很可爱。
Zhè zhī māo hěn kě'ài.
This cat is very lovely.
她有一个可爱的女儿。
Tā yǒu yīgè kě'ài de nǚ'ér.
She has a lovely daughter.
你的小狗真可爱!
Nǐ de xiǎo gǒu zhēn kě'ài!
Your puppy is really cute!
这只小猫很可爱。
Zhè zhī xiǎo māo hěn kě'ài.
This little cat is very cute.
她的笑容很可爱。
Tā de xiàoróng hěn kě'ài.
Her smile is very lovely.

💡 Memory Tip

Break the characters down: 可 (kě) can mean 'can' or 'may,' and 爱 (ài) means 'love.' Think of something so charming that you 'can love' it easily—it's 'lovable' or 'cute.'

📝 Usage Notes

This word is extremely common in both spoken and written Chinese, across informal and semi-formal contexts (it is less common in very formal writing). It is widely used to compliment children, pets, small items, or charming actions. In recent years, it has also become a popular casual compliment among adults, similar to saying 'cute' or 'adorable' in English.

📖 Grammar Points

It functions as a standard adjective and can be used attributively (e.g., 可爱的小猫) or predicatively (e.g., 这只小猫很可爱). It is often modified by degree adverbs like 很 (hěn), 非常 (fēicháng), or 太...了 (tài...le).

🏯 Cultural Notes

In Chinese culture, openly calling children, pets, or even romantic partners 可爱 is very common and positive. It carries a warm, affectionate tone. The concept is highly valued, and cuteness (可爱) is a major aesthetic in popular culture, fashion, and product design.

🔄 Similar Words

漂亮 (piàoliang) means 'pretty' or 'beautiful,' focusing more on aesthetic beauty, while 可爱 emphasizes a charming, endearing quality. 萌 (méng) is a more recent, informal slang also meaning 'cute,' but often with a stronger connotation of being heart-meltingly adorable, typically used in internet culture.

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