love
love — 動詞
1. to feel deep warmth and emotional attachment toward someone you have a close rel
愛；疼愛
對家人或伴侶有深厚感情
to feel deep warmth and emotional attachment toward someone you have a close relationship with — for example, a romantic partner, a parent, a child, or a very close friend.
Eshe loved her younger brother deeply and always watched over him.
Eshe 深深愛著她的弟弟，總是在一旁照顧他。
love + family member as object
On their fifth anniversary, Christopher told Mira that he loved her more than ever.
結婚五週年那天，Christopher 告訴 Mira 他比以往更愛她。
love + romantic partner; telling someone you love them
The children knew their grandmother loved them because she baked their favourite treats every week.
孩子們知道奶奶很愛他們，因為她每個星期都為他們烘焙最喜歡的點心。
Even after the argument, Rafael still loved Ada and wanted to make things right.
即使吵了架，Rafael 依然愛著 Ada，想要讓一切恢復正常。
Ritu's parents loved both their children with equal care and never showed favouritism.
Ritu 的父母對兩個孩子付出同等的關愛，從不偏袒。
文法句型
love + someone
用法筆記
The object is usually a person or group of people. Unlike 'like', this sense expresses a deep emotional bond and is rarely used for casual or temporary feelings.
常見錯誤
2. to get great pleasure from an activity, object, or experience — to like it much
喜愛；熱愛
對事物有強烈喜好
to get great pleasure from an activity, object, or experience — to like it much more than most other things.
Trang loves reading novels about historical figures and faraway places.
Trang 很喜愛閱讀關於歷史人物和遠方國度的小說。
love + gerund (doing)
Kenji loves his new camera and takes it with him on every trip.
Kenji 非常喜歡他的新相機，每次旅行都會帶在身邊。
love + noun phrase
The girls loved the surprise party that their classmates had quietly organised.
女孩們很喜歡同學們悄悄為她們準備的驚喜派對。
Anya loves to eat fresh bread with butter for breakfast every morning.
Anya 每天早上都喜歡吃塗了奶油的現烤麵包當早餐。
The Watanabe family loves hiking in the mountains during autumn when the leaves turn red.
渡邊一家很喜歡在秋天樹葉變紅時去山上健行。
- adore
slightly stronger and more emotional than love for things
- be crazy about
informal; expresses enthusiastic enjoyment
- be fond of
gentler than love; suggests steady affection rather than intense pleasure
文法句型
love + noun phrase
love + doing (gerund)
love + to-infinitive
用法筆記
Commonly used with a gerund (loves swimming) or a to-infinitive (loves to swim). The object can be any activity, food, object, or experience that brings strong enjoyment.
常見錯誤
3. used to express a strong desire for something to happen or to obtain something —
很想；樂意
表達強烈願望或客氣請求
used to express a strong desire for something to happen or to obtain something — often when politely requesting, accepting an invitation, or stating a heartfelt wish.
Eli said he would love to visit Japan if he had enough time off work.
Eli 說，若能排到足夠的假，他非常想去日本。
would love + to-infinitive for a wish
Defne would love a hot cup of tea after the long walk in the rain.
在雨中走了很長一段路之後，Defne 很想喝一杯熱茶。
would love + noun phrase for something desired
We would love for you to come to the wedding celebration next spring.
我們非常希望您明年春天能來參加婚禮。
Élise invited me on the trip, and I told her I would love to come.
Élise 邀我一起參加這趟旅行，我說我很樂意去。
- would like
softer and more neutral than would love; can be used in any register
- would be delighted to
more formal and enthusiastic than would love
- am dying to
informal; very strong and eager desire
- would hate to
direct opposite; strong reluctance
- would rather not
mild preference against something
文法句型
would love + to-infinitive
would love + noun phrase
would love + for + someone + to-infinitive
用法筆記
Almost always used with 'would' in conditional form; the simple present 'love' without 'would' does not convey polite desire. Common in invitations and offers: 'I would love to, but…' is a typical polite refusal pattern.
常見錯誤
love — 名詞
1. a very strong, warm feeling that makes you care deeply about someone, such as a
愛；關愛
對家人、伴侶等的深厚感情
a very strong, warm feeling that makes you care deeply about someone, such as a romantic partner, a parent, a child, or a close friend.
Roya's love for her grandmother showed in the letters she wrote each week.
Roya 對祖母的愛，從她每週寫的信中可以看出來。
love for + family member
The love between Camila and her twin brother grew stronger after they moved abroad.
Camila 和她雙胞胎兄弟之間的愛，在搬到國外後變得更加深厚。
A parent's love for a child does not depend on the child's grades at school.
父母對孩子的愛，並不會因為孩子在學校的成績好壞而改變。
Wren wrote a poem about the love he felt for his hometown by the sea.
Wren 寫了一首詩，表達他對海邊故鄉的愛。
The Chen family's love of music brought the whole neighbourhood together every Saturday.
他們對音樂的熱愛，讓整個社區每個週六下午都聚在一起。
用法筆記
Uncountable in this sense — you say 'her love for her children', not 'a love for her children' (though 'a love of music' is possible when referring to enthusiasm).
常見錯誤
2. a person you have a romantic relationship with and feel very close to.
戀人
與自己有戀愛關係的人
a person you have a romantic relationship with and feel very close to.
Baraka brought flowers home to his love after the long business trip.
Baraka 出差回來後，帶了花送給他的戀人。
bring flowers to [one's] love
After ten years apart, Yan finally reunited with his first love from college.
分開十年後，Yan 終於與大學時期的初戀重逢。
first love
When the ship docked, Gita ran into the arms of her waiting love.
船一靠岸，Gita 就奔向在碼頭等候她的戀人懷裡。
Reuben whispered a secret to his love while they sat by the old oak tree.
Reuben 在老橡樹旁對著他的戀人低聲說了一個祕密。
- sweetheart
more informal and affectionate; common in spoken English
- beloved
more formal and literary; often used in wedding vows or poetry
- darling
used as both a noun and a term of address; very affectionate
用法筆記
Often paired with possessive pronouns ('my love', 'her love', 'his one true love'). 'First love' refers to the first person you ever loved romantically.
常見錯誤
❌ 'My love is a doctor and she works at the hospital.' — This is actually correct, but can be confused with sense 1 (the feeling). In informal conversation, using 'boyfriend' or 'girlfriend' is clearer for Taiwanese learners.
3. a friendly word used when speaking directly to someone you know well, especially
親愛的
對熟人的友善稱呼
a friendly word used when speaking directly to someone you know well, especially in British English, to show warmth or care.
'Don't worry, love, everything will be fine,' said the nurse to the elderly patient.
「別擔心，親愛的，一切都會沒事的，」護士對年長病人說。
friendly address in caring situations
Élise smiled at the waiter and said, 'Could I have some more water, love?'
Élise 對服務生微笑著說：「可以再給我一杯水嗎，親愛的？」
'Thanks for holding the door, love!' called the elderly woman from the shop entrance.
「謝謝你幫忙開門，親愛的！」老太太從店門口喊道。
'See you tomorrow, love,' Asher said to his flatmate as he left for work.
「明天見囉，親愛的，」Asher 出門上班前對室友說。
用法筆記
Common in British English but rare in American English, where 'honey', 'sweetie', or 'dear' are more typical. Can be used between strangers in service situations (waiters, shopkeepers) and between friends or family.
常見錯誤
❌ Using 'love' to address a stranger in formal situations in American English — it may sound odd or overly familiar. Stick to neutral address forms like 'excuse me' or 'sir/madam' in the US.
4. a word placed just above your signature in a personal note for someone you know
署名用語
信件結尾的親密署名
a word placed just above your signature in a personal note for someone you know well, as a warm way of signing off.
Madison ended her letter to her cousin with 'Love, Madison' and a small drawing.
Madison 在給表姊的信末畫了一張小圖，並在結尾署名「Love Madison」。
'Love, [Name]' closing pattern
The postcard from Lien simply said 'Wish you were here — Love, Lien.'
Lien 寄來的明信片上只寫著：「但願你在這裡——Love Lien。」
When Camila wrote to her aunt in Japan, she always signed off with 'Love.'
Camila 寫信給日本的阿姨時，總是在最後寫上「Love」作為結尾。
The message ended with 'Take care, love from all of us' and a family photo.
那封 email 的結尾寫著「保重，我們大家都愛你」，還附上一張全家福照片。
用法筆記
Used only with people you have a close relationship with. For formal or business correspondence, use 'Sincerely', 'Best regards', or 'Yours faithfully' instead.
常見錯誤
5. the state of having strong romantic and sexual feelings for someone, often shown
戀愛
與某人相戀的狀態
the state of having strong romantic and sexual feelings for someone, often shown through a close relationship or physical affection.
After twelve years together, Baraka and Roya were still deeply in love.
在一起十二年後，Baraka 和 Roya 依然深愛著彼此。
be deeply in love
The novel tells the story of two people in love during the war.
這本小說講述了戰時兩個相愛的人的故事。
Gita knew she was in love when she missed Yan every moment he was away.
Gita 知道自己戀愛了，因為 Yan 只要不在身邊，她就時刻想念他。
The song describes the happiness of making love on a quiet summer night.
這首歌描寫在寧靜夏夜做愛的幸福感受。
- be infatuated
suggests a strong but often short-lived attraction, less deep than being in love
- be enamoured
more formal; implies being charmed or captivated by someone
文法句型
be in love with [someone]
make love to [someone]
用法筆記
'Be in love' describes an ongoing emotional state. 'Make love' is a polite or romantic way of referring to sexual activity between two people who love each other. Distinguish from sense 6 ('fall in love'), which describes the process of entering this state.
常見錯誤
6. the process of starting to have strong romantic feelings for someone and becomin
愛上
開始對某人產生愛意
the process of starting to have strong romantic feelings for someone and becoming emotionally attached to them.
Rachel and Asher fell in love during a rainy camping trip in the mountains.
Rachel 和 Asher 在一次雨中露營旅行中墜入愛河。
fall in love during [event]
The film shows how two strangers gradually fall in love over one summer.
這部電影描述兩個陌生人在一個夏天裡逐漸相愛的過程。
Lien fell in love with the tiny fishing village the moment she arrived.
Lien 一踏進那個小小的漁村，就愛上了那個地方。
Amira and Mateo fell in love during a long train ride across the mountains.
在一趟翻山越嶺的火車旅程中，Amira 和 Mateo 墜入了愛河。
- become smitten
informal; suggests a sudden, strong attraction, often at first sight
- develop feelings for
milder and more gradual than 'fall in love'; describes growing affection
- fall out of love
the process of losing romantic feelings for someone
文法句型
fall in love with [someone]
用法筆記
The fixed phrase 'fall in love' describes the transition into a romantic state. It can also be used with places or things ('fell in love with the city') as an extension of the romantic metaphor. Distinguish from sense 5 ('being in love'), which is the state after falling.
常見錯誤
7. the feeling of great enjoyment or strong interest that someone has for a particu
熱愛
對活動或事物的強烈喜愛
the feeling of great enjoyment or strong interest that someone has for a particular activity, subject, or thing
Rania's love of classical music began when her grandmother played the piano for her.
Rania 對古典音樂的熱愛始於祖母為她彈鋼琴的時候。
love of + noun phrase (the thing enjoyed)
The old community library was maintained with love by local volunteers.
這間老舊的社區圖書館是由當地志工懷著熱情維護的。
uncountable: maintained with love
Felix discovered a deep love for photography during his trip to Japan.
Felix 在日本旅行時發現了自己對攝影的深厚熱愛。
For many young readers, a love of stories begins with picture books at bedtime.
對許多小讀者來說，對故事的熱愛始於睡前看圖畫書。
Zola's love of cooking led her to open a small restaurant in the city centre.
Zola 對烹飪的熱愛促使她在市中心開了一家小餐館。
- passion
stronger and more intense than love; suggests an all-consuming interest
- enthusiasm
focuses on active eagerness and excitement rather than deep affection
- fondness
gentler and less intense; suggests a warm, mild liking rather than strong devotion
文法句型
love + of + noun phrase
love + for + noun phrase
用法筆記
Uncountable noun. Often followed by 'of' or 'for' plus the activity or thing that someone enjoys. Unlike sense 1, this sense does not refer to romantic or family affection.
8. an activity, object, or person that someone greatly enjoys or feels very fond of
愛好
非常喜歡的人事物
an activity, object, or person that someone greatly enjoys or feels very fond of
Nila's first love was horseback riding, although she later took up sailing.
Nila 最初的愛好是騎馬，但後來她開始學習帆船運動。
first love — a favourite activity from one's past
For Christopher, live jazz is a particular love that he shares with his brother.
對 Christopher 來說，現場爵士樂是他和弟弟共同分享的一大愛好。
Wei considers his old bicycle one of his greatest loves, even though it rarely works.
Wei 把自己的舊腳踏車視為最喜愛的東西之一，即使它幾乎不能騎。
The guitar was Adina's teenage love, and she practised for hours every evening.
吉他是 Adina 青少年時期最喜愛的樂器，她每天傍晚都練習好幾個小時。
Élise has many hobbies, but painting remains her one true love above all others.
Élise 有許多嗜好，但畫畫始終是她超越一切的最愛。
文法句型
possessive + love
first love
用法筆記
Countable noun, often used with a possessive adjective (my, his, her) or in the phrase 'first love'. Distinguish from sense 7: sense 7 is the feeling of enjoyment, while sense 8 is the thing or activity that causes that feeling.
9. a term in tennis meaning that a player or team has not yet won any points at all
零分
網球比賽中的零分
a term in tennis meaning that a player or team has not yet won any points at all
The umpire announced the score as forty-love after Sayaka's powerful serve.
裁判宣布比數為四十比零，因為 Sayaka 發了一記強勁的球。
score format: forty-love (server's score first)
Anong fought back from love-thirty to win the next three points in a row.
Anong 從零比三十的落後中奮力追趕，連續贏得接下來三分。
love-thirty means the receiver has zero points
Heloísa served three aces in a row, giving her a comfortable love-forty lead.
Heloísa 連續發了三記愛司球，取得舒適的零比四十領先。
In tennis, when neither player has scored, the game starts at love-love.
在網球比賽中，當雙方都尚未得分時，比數是零比零。
文法句型
number + love
love + number
用法筆記
Only used in tennis, squash, badminton, and similar racket sports. The server's score is always given first, so 'forty-love' means the server has forty points and the opponent has zero.
常見錯誤
10. physical intimacy between two people, especially the act of sexual intercourse
性愛
性行為，親密關係
physical intimacy between two people, especially the act of sexual intercourse
The final scene of the film shows the two main characters making love by candlelight.
這部電影的最後一幕是兩位主角在燭光下做愛。
make love — the common verb phrase for this sense
In many traditional societies, people rarely spoke openly about making love.
在許多傳統社會中，人們很少公開談論做愛。
The Victorian novel described their night of love only through careful hints and symbols.
這本維多利亞時期的小說只用含蓄的暗示和象徵來描寫一夜之愛。
Emily's poetry course examined how Renaissance poets wrote about love between spouses.
Emily 的詩歌課探討了文藝復興時期的詩人如何書寫夫妻間的閨房之愛。
The couple's decision to make love for the first time is handled gently in the story.
故事中溫柔地處理了這對伴侶第一次做愛的決定。
- sex
more direct and common in everyday speech; less formal or literary
- intercourse
clinical or formal; less emotionally warm than love in this sense
文法句型
make love
night of love
用法筆記
Often expressed through the phrasal verb 'make love' rather than the bare noun. This sense is formal or literary; in everyday speech, speakers usually say 'have sex' or 'sleep together'.