Japanese word

愛しい

Pronunciation

Romajiitoshii

Meaning

  • i-adjectivedear

Example

その笑顔が愛しいです。so no e gao ga ito shi i de su

That smile is dear to me.

Illustration for 愛しい (dear)

More examples

離れて暮らす娘の声が愛しいです。hana re te ku ra su musume no koe ga ito shi i de su

I cherish the sound of my daughter's voice even though she lives far away.

Core concept

Describes a person, living thing, or object that inspires deep affection and feels especially precious.

Common phrases

  • 愛しい人ito shi i hito

    beloved person

  • 愛しい思い出ito shi i omo i de

    dear memory

Similar words

可愛いkawaii: Describes someone or something that attracts affection through an appealing or innocent quality.
恋しいkoishii: Describes a person, place, or thing whose absence creates a strong longing.

Definition in Japanese

深い愛情を感じ、かけがえのないものとして大切に思うさま。fuka i ai jō o kan ji ka ke ga e no na i mo no to shi te tai setsu ni omo u sa ma

Word origin

The native Japanese adjective 愛しい (itoshii, "dear") is historically linked to いとほし (itohoshi, "dear or pitiable"), and its modern kanji spelling uses 愛 (ai, "love").

Usage tips

  • In Japanese, 愛しい (itoshii) can describe a child, pet, or cherished object, so dear is not limited to romantic love.

Other meanings

  • belovedi-adjective
  • lovelyi-adjective

Opposites

  • 憎いnikuihatefuli-adjective
  • 疎ましいutomashiidetestablei-adjective

Related words

  • 愛しさitoshisadearnessnoun
  • 愛しげitoshigelovingna-adjective

Word lists with this word