Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Love" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "love", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
可愛がる
かわいがる (kawaigaru)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
愛憎
あいぞう (aizō)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "love" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 可愛がる and 愛憎.
In Japanese, 可愛がる (かわいがる (kawaigaru)) is typically associated with "to love, to cherish, to be affectionate to; to dote on" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents A transitive verb meaning to treat someone.
On the other hand, 愛憎 (あいぞう (aizō)) maps to "love and hate; likes and dislikes; conflicting feelings of love and resentment" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Refers to conflicting feelings of love and hate, likes and dislikes, or deep love mixed with fierce resentment. Often used as 愛憎劇. A literal translation of "love" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "可愛がる"
おじいちゃんは孫娘をとても可愛がっている。
Grandpa dotes on his granddaughter very much.
Bilingual Context for "愛憎"
長年にわたる相続争いにより、かつては仲の良かった兄弟の間に深い_______の念が生じてしまいました。
Due to inheritance disputes lasting many years, deep feelings of love and hate arose between the brothers who once got along well.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "おじいちゃんは孫娘をとても可愛がっている。" (Meaning: "Grandpa dotes on his granddaughter very much.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "可愛がる" fits here because it means "to love, to cherish, to be affectionate to; to dote on" in the context of: "Grandpa dotes on his granddaughter very much.". "愛憎" represents "love and hate; likes and dislikes; conflicting feelings of love and resentment".