Chinese word

宠爱

Pronunciation

Pinyinchǒng ài

Meaning

  • verbdote on

Example

妈妈总是宠爱孩子。mā mā zǒng shì chǒng ài hái zi

Mother always dotes on her child.

Illustration for 宠爱 (dote on)

More examples

小狗在家里备受宠爱。xiáo gǒu zài jiā lǐ bèi shòu chǒng ài

The puppy is greatly doted on at home.

Core concept

Giving someone extra affection and special treatment, often until care becomes indulgence.

Common phrases

  • 宠爱孩子chǒng ài hái zi

    dote on children

  • 备受宠爱bèi shòu chǒng ài

    be greatly doted on

  • 宠爱有加chǒng ài yǒu jiā

    shower with extra affection

Similar words

溺爱nì ài: Showing excessive affection by giving someone too much of what they want.
疼爱téng ài: Treating someone with deep love, warmth, and tenderness.
爱护ài hù: Taking good care of someone or something to keep it safe from harm.
偏爱piān ài: Favoring a particular person or thing above others.

Definition in Chinese

对某人或某物给予特别的优待和更多的关心，以此表现偏爱，常含纵容成分。duì mǒu rén huò mǒu wù jí yǔ tè bié de yōu dài hé gèng duō de guān xīn yí cǐ biǎo xiàn piān ài cháng hán zòng róng chéng fèn

Word origin

宠 (chǒng, "favor") + 爱 (ài, "love") combines special favor with affection, so the word describes love shown through preferential treatment.

Usage tips

  • English speakers may hear the feeling as purely warm, but this verb can also suggest that special treatment goes too far, so context can make it affectionate or critical.

Other meanings

  • spoilverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word