Chinese Conversation · Level 63
90 words
Chinese word
爱慕
Pronunciation
Pinyinài mù
Meaning
- verbadmire
Example
他暗中爱慕那个女孩。tā àn zhōng ài mù nà ge nǚ hái
He secretly admires that girl.
More examples
他们在工作中相互爱慕，却不敢表白。tā men zài gōng zuò zhōng xiāng hù ài mù què bù gǎn biǎo bái
They admire each other at work, but they dare not confess their feelings.
Core concept
A feeling of looking up to someone with affection, sometimes carrying a quiet romantic longing.
Common phrases
暗中爱慕àn zhōng ài mù
secretly admire
悄悄爱慕qiāo qiāo ài mù
quietly admire
相互爱慕xiāng hù ài mù
admire each other
Similar words
喜欢xǐ huān: Like someone or something and feel friendly interest or enjoyment.
暗恋àn liàn: Have romantic feelings for someone secretly without telling them.
爱ài: Love someone or something deeply and care about them greatly.
尊敬zūn jìng: Respect someone for their good character, ability, or achievements.
Definition in Chinese
表示对某人怀有仰慕或恋慕的情感，语气偏正式或书面，既可暗自思慕也可明示心意。biǎo shì duì mǒu rén huái yǒu yǎng mù huò liàn mù de qíng gǎn yǔ qì piān zhèng shì huò shū miàn jì kě àn zì sī mù yě kě míng shì xīn yì
Word origin
爱 (ài, "love") + 慕 (mù, "admire and long for") combine to describe affection directed toward someone held in high regard.
Usage tips
- In everyday conversation, this verb sounds more formal and literary than casual wording for romantic interest, so it appears especially often in writing or deliberate declarations.