Correct
好 vs 爱
/ hào vs ài /
Strokes
Definition
1. Core Meanings
- 好 (hào) = "to like/enjoy" (habitual preference)
- 爱 (ài) = "to love" (deep emotional attachment)
2. Emotional Strength
| Word | Strength | Equivalent in English |
|---|---|---|
| 好 (hào) | Mild liking ("enjoy") | "I like drinking tea" |
| 爱 (ài) | Strong passion ("love") | "I love my family" |
3. Usage Patterns
好 (hào) is used for:
- Hobbies & habits (好喝茶 "enjoy tea")
- General preferences (好读书 "like reading")
- Never used for people (❌ 好你)
爱 (ài) is used for:
- People (爱你 "love you")
- Strong passions (爱唱歌 "love singing")
- Abstract concepts (爱自由 "love freedom")
4. Sentence Structure
好 (hào):
Subject + 好 + Activity
Example: 他好运动 ("He likes sports")
爱 (ài):
Subject + 爱 + [People/Activities/Concepts]
Example: 她爱旅行 ("She loves traveling")
5. Nuance Differences
- 好喝酒 = "enjoy drinking" (habitual)
- 爱喝酒 = "love drinking" (possibly alcoholic)
- 好学习 = "like studying"
- 爱学习 = "passionate about studying"
6. Memory Tip
Think of:
🍵 好 = "I enjoy tea" (casual habit)
❤️ 爱 = "I love you" (deep emotion)
Summary Table
| Feature | 好 (hào) | 爱 (ài) |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Like/enjoy | Love |
| Strength | Mild | Strong |
| For People? | No | Yes |
| For Hobbies? | Yes | Yes (stronger) |
| Example | 他好喝茶 | 她爱音乐 |
Example
好 and 爱 both are colloquial and mean: to be fond of (doing sth.).
1) Some of them are idiomatic phrases, e.g.好学 (studious), 好吃懒做 (gluttonous and lazy).
2) But one can say 爱吃好的，不爱吃咸的(e.g. ③), etc.
3) Generally speaking, 好 indicates a habitual fondness. Example ③ can be said as 她不好吃咸的。
2) But one can say 爱吃好的，不爱吃咸的(e.g. ③), etc.
3) Generally speaking, 好 indicates a habitual fondness. Example ③ can be said as 她不好吃咸的。
1
Tā
她
hào
好
(ài)
(
guàng
爱
shāng
)
diàn
逛
商店
。
She loves to visit the store.
2
Lǎozhāng
老张
hào（
好
ài
(
爱
xiàng
)
qí
象棋
。
Lao Zhang likes playing chess.
3
Wǒ
我
bù
不
ài
爱
chī
吃
xián
咸
de
的
。
I don't like salty food.
好 and 爱 both are colloquial and mean: indicating (sth.) taking place very often.
Generally speaking, if there is no sense of subjectivity at all, as in example ⑥, 好 is not used.
4
Zhè
这
háizi
孩子
ài
爱
(
hào）
好
kū
)
哭
。
The child is apt to crying.
5
Tā
他
dōngtiān
冬天
ài
爱
(
hào）
好
gǎn
)
mào
感冒
。
He is apt to catching a cold in winter.
6
Zhèzhǒng
这种
tiěguō
铁锅
ài
爱
shēngxiù
生锈
。
The inn pot is easy to rust.
好 and 爱 both are colloquial and mean: (animals and plants) having a certain characteristic.
There is no subjectivity in example ⑧.
7
Zhèzhǒng
这种
dòngwù
动物
ài
爱
zāduīr
扎堆儿
。
The animals like getting together.
8
Zhèzhǒng
这种
zhíwù
植物
ài
爱
zài
在
bèiyīn
背阴
de
的
dìfāng
地方
shēngzhǎng
生长
。
The plant likes growing in the shade.
Mistake
❌ 我好你。
✅ 我爱你。("I love you")
❌ 他爱好喝酒。
✅ 他好喝酒。("He likes drinking")
❌ 我爱学习汉语。(too strong)
✅ 我好学汉语。("I like studying Chinese")