The Chinese Word for Love 爱/愛 (ài) - means love, but it can be translated as “like”, as well. Most likely, if you use 爱, you truly do love them.
Chinese couples tend not to show verbal affection, preferring instead to cuddle or hold hands. Reasons for this include a fear of rejection or loss of face, awkwardness and cultural traditions.
爱 (ài) for love
爱 is the simplified Chinese symbol for love and looks similar to the traditional Chinese character 愛. There are many different ways you could use this word, such as "我爱你 (wǒ ài nǐ/I love you)" or "恋爱 (liàn ài/fall in love)."
In Chinese culture, it is common to suppress feelings or express them in a non-verbal way. For example, instead of saying, “I love you,” it is common to express love by holding hands, hugging, cuddling, etc. Facial expressions and intonation while speaking are also indicators of emotions while communicating.
In Chinese: 我爱你。 Pinyin: Wǒ ài nǐ. In English: “I love you.”
我喜欢你(wǒ xǐhuān nǐ): I like you. 我爱你(wǒ ài nǐ): I love you. Both of these are very direct and commonly used ways to express love, but, “我爱你 (wǒ ài nǐ) I love you” of course conveys a stronger and deeper feeling than, “我喜欢你 (wǒ xǐhuān nǐ) I like you”.
In fact, many Chinese youths believe that "Love is sweet, the reality is cruel". In Chinese concept of love, couples should sustain the relationship between husband and wife for the family although they needn't love and respect each other.
According to Chinese customs, people do not usually express affection publicly. Hugging could be a little too much contact for comfort, especially for people who aren't very close. Many traditional parents do not often hug their children after a certain age, and most Chinese wouldn't hug someone outside their family.
The public expression of love toward a spouse or romantic partner has long been discouraged in Asian cultures such as China (Lee, 2007; Kline et al., 2008). This proscription appears to be relaxing, however, with Chinese adults observed kissing and hugging, even in public.
Purple – the Color of Love
While someone from the West would say that purple is the color of royalty, luxury, ambition, and nobility, things are pretty different in China. Here, purple symbolizes love and it is used just how red is used in the West. Purple also represents strength and spiritual awareness.
"With love, water is enough; without love, food doesn't satisfy." This Chinese proverb expresses the satisfying nature of love. When you're in love, even the most difficult situation can become bearable. Without love, everything can feel unsatisfying and empty.
Use numbers to say "I love you" in a text message.
520 (wǔ èr líng) stands for "wǒ ài nǐ" (I love you) 770 (qī qī líng) stands for "qīn qīn nǐ" (kiss you) 880 (bā bā líng) stands for "bào bào nǐ" (hug you) 530 (wǔ sān líng) stands for "wǒ xiǎng nǐ" (miss you).
Since many Chinese men don't commonly express their love verbally, they'll often go to great lengths to express it in other ways. Sometimes this means showering you with sweet gestures and presents. Gifts can range from flowers and candy to more practical items that he knows you need and could use.
Try some small talk before flirting. Ask “in-depth” questions that require more than a couple of words for an answer. In that same vein, understand that Chinese men tend to be very straightforward with their feelings, something that can be really cool, but might be off-putting if you're not used to that sort of thing.
A simple, soft handshake, a smile, and a friendly 'hi' or 'ni hao' (or 'nin hao' to greet older Chinese people) will often suffice. When addressing Chinese people, address the eldest or most senior person first. Also, address the newly-met people with their honorific title and family name.
Chinese smile for more reasons than Americans. A smile can mean the person is embarrassed, trying to be helpful, curious, happy or friendly. In the middle of an argument, smiling means that the speaker doesn't want this to become personal. When all else fails, smile in China.
Chinese couples date with marriage on their minds. There are no middle stages, no casual dates, and no one-night stands. Chinese relationships are more serious because they want it to end up in marriage when they start dating.
For example, in China, holding hands or kissing in public is considered taboo. It's more common for friends of the same sex rather than couples of the opposite sex to hold hands or dance in public.
The Chinese lifestyle also has its kissing traditions. People sometimes cheek hug when handmade each other, however they do not always use it being a form of intimacy. They usually quarter kiss twice. They also will not elaborate on who may be a good kisser.
Chinese men who are into you will generally make time to contact you frequently — if not every day, then several times a week. He'll call or text you every single evening to wish you a good night or make sure you're home safe. He'll e-mail you every day or every other day to see how you are.
Marriage (婚姻 hūnyīn) is an important cultural phenomenon around the world and certainly in China. It is the symbol of two people who are committed to building a life together and these commitments tend to create more stable families, communities and societies.
Although Chinese society is welcoming and Chinese people are friendly to foreigners, regularly failing to understand the culture or language can make you feel isolated.
#1 - 你很漂亮! / 你真帅!
Nǐ hěn piàoliang! / Nǐ zhēn shuài! You're beautiful! / You're handsome! This is probably the most popular compliment you will hear in China. Girls are often referred to as beautiful women 美女 (měinǚ) and boys as handsome men 帅哥 (shuàigē).