Chinese word

可爱

Pronunciation

Pinyinkě ài

Meaning

  • adjectivecute

Example

这只猫很可爱。zhè zhǐ māo hěn kě ài

This cat is very cute.

Illustration for 可爱 (cute)

More examples

她的笑容很可爱。tā de xiào róng hěn kě ài

Her smile is very cute.

Core concept

A quality that makes a person, animal, object, or action invite affection and care.

Common phrases

  • 很可爱hěn kě ài

    very cute

  • 非常可爱fēi cháng kě ài

    really cute

  • 长得可爱zhǎng de kě ài

    look cute

Similar words

好看hǎo kàn: Good-looking and pleasing to the eye, making something enjoyable to see.
漂亮piào liàng: Attractive and beautiful in appearance, often with a polished or graceful look.
讨人喜欢tǎo rén xǐ huān: Pleasant in character or manner and naturally able to win people's liking.

Definition in Chinese

能引起他人好感、想要关心的特征或状态，常用于形容外貌、神态或行为。néng yín qǐ tā rén háo gǎn xiǎng yào guān xīn de tè zhēng huò zhuàng tài cháng yòng yú xíng róng wài mào shén tài huò xíng wéi

Word origin

The compound 可 (kě, "be worthy of") + 爱 (ài, "love") presents its subject as worthy of love, which developed into the modern adjective for a lovable, appealing quality.

Usage tips

  • Unlike English cute, which can sometimes sound dismissive when used for an adult, this Chinese adjective is a normal warm compliment for a person's expression, manner, or action.

Opposites

Word lists with this word