Love is universal, but the way we talk about it can be so different and fascinating! In Mandarin, love isn’t something you “fall” into – it’s something you 谈 (tán), or talk about. In this episode, we explore how Mandarin captures the beauty of romance with words that reflect subtlety, connection, and intentionality.

From the magic of 一见钟情 (love at first sight) to the sweetness of 牵手 (holding hands) and even the bittersweetness of 分手 (breaking up), we’ll teach you key phrases for every stage of love. Along the way, we’ll uncover the cultural values behind Mandarin’s unique way of expressing love – including the timeless beauty of 含蓄 (hánxù), or subtlety.

Whether you’re learning to express your feelings or just curious about how love speaks in Mandarin, this episode is your guide to the language of the heart. Practice these words, share your thoughts, and let Mandarin add a little romance to your day!

Key Vocabulary:

1. 喜欢 (xǐhuān): Like

   • Example: 我喜欢你。(Wǒ xǐhuān nǐ.) – I like you.

2. 爱 (ài): Love

   • Example: 我爱你。(Wǒ ài nǐ.) – I love you.

3. 谈恋爱 (tán liàn'ài): To be in a romantic relationship

   • Example: 他们正在谈恋爱。(Tāmen zhèngzài tán liàn'ài.) – They are dating.

4. 一见钟情 (yī jiàn zhōngqíng): Love at first sight

   • Example: 这是典型的一见钟情。(Zhè shì diǎnxíng de yī jiàn zhōngqíng.) – This is a classic case of love at first sight.

5. 牵手 (qiānshǒu): To hold hands

   • Example: 他们第一次牵手。(Tāmen dì yī cì qiānshǒu.) – They held hands for the first time.

6. 暗恋 (ànliàn): A secret crush

   • Example: 她暗恋了他很久。(Tā ànliàn le tā hěn jiǔ.) – She had a crush on him for a long time.

7. 分手 (fēnshǒu): To break up

   • Example: 他们已经分手了。(Tāmen yǐjīng fēnshǒu le.) – They’ve already broken up.

8. 心跳 (xīntiào): Heartbeat

   • Example: 看见他的时候，我的心跳加快了。(Kànjiàn tā de shíhòu, wǒ de xīntiào jiākuài le.) – My heart raced when I saw him.

9. 约会 (yuēhuì): A date

   • Example: 今天晚上我们有一个约会。(Jīntiān wǎnshàng wǒmen yǒu yí gè yuēhuì.) – We have a date tonight.

10. 甜蜜 (tiánmì): Sweet or romantic

• Example: 他们的关系很甜蜜。(Tāmen de guānxì hěn tiánmì.) – Their relationship is very sweet.

《江城子·乙卯正月二十日夜记梦》

By Su Shi (苏轼)

十年生死两茫茫，
不思量，自难忘。
千里孤坟，无处话凄凉。
纵使相逢应不识，
尘满面，鬓如霜。

夜来幽梦忽还乡，
小轩窗，正梳妆。
相顾无言，惟有泪千行。
料得年年肠断处，
明月夜，短松冈。

Shí nián shēng sǐ liǎng máng máng,
Bù sī liàng, zì nán wàng.
Qiān lǐ gū fén, wú chù huà qī liáng.
Zòng shǐ xiāng féng yīng bù shí,
Chén mǎn miàn, bìn rú shuāng.

Yè lái yōu mèng hū huán xiāng,
Xiǎo xuān chuāng, zhèng shū zhuāng.
Xiāng gù wú yán, wéi yǒu lèi qiān háng.
Liào dé nián nián cháng duàn chù,
Míng yuè yè, duǎn sōng gāng.

For ten years, life and death have drifted far apart,
I do not think of you, yet I cannot forget.
A lonely grave a thousand miles away,
No place to speak of my sorrow.
Even if we met again, you would not recognize me,
With dust on my face and frost in my hair.

Last night, in a quiet dream, I returned home,
By the small window, you were arranging your hair.
We looked at each other, saying nothing,
Only tears fell like a thousand streams.
I imagine, year after year, the place that breaks my heart,
A bright moonlit night, the short pines on the hill.