Japanese word

惚れる

Pronunciation

Romajihoreru

Meaning

  • verbfall for

Example

私は彼女に惚れました。watashi wa kano jo ni ho re ma shi ta

I fell for her.

Illustration for 惚れる (fall for)

More examples

彼はその歌手の人柄に惚れました。kare wa so no ka shu no hito gara ni ho re ma shi ta

He fell for the singer's personality.

Core concept

It describes becoming strongly drawn to a person or thing until affection or fascination takes hold.

Common phrases

  • 一目で惚れるhito me de ho re ru

    fall for someone at first sight

  • 人に惚れるhito ni ho re ru

    fall for someone

  • 惚れた弱みho re ta yowa mi

    weakness caused by being in love

Similar words

恋するkoisuru: To become romantically attracted to someone and develop love for that person.
惚れ込むhorekomu: To grow intensely attached to someone or something because of strong admiration.
心酔するshinsuisuru: To be deeply captivated by and devoted to a person, idea, or artistic style.

Definition in Japanese

人や物事に強く心を引かれ、夢中になる。hito ya mono goto ni tsuyo ku kokoro o hi ka re mu chū ni na ru

Word origin

The native Japanese verb 惚れる (horeru, "to fall for") comes from 惚る (horu, "to be absorbed in someone or something"), an older form describing intense attachment.

Usage tips

  • In conversational Japanese, 惚れる (horeru) often signals romantic attraction, while its use for a skill or style highlights deep admiration rather than a passing preference.

Other meanings

  • admireverb

Opposites

Related words

  • 惚れっぽいhoreppoieasily infatuatedi-adjective
  • 惚れ惚れhoreboreadmiringlyadverb

Word lists with this word