Lovers in Chinese / Japanese...

yīn yuán

These two characters mean, "Destiny that brings lovers together." It can also be translated technically as, "Predestined matrimonial affinity" (wow, talk about taking the romance out of this word - that was from the Oxford C-E dictionary).

Basically, this is talking about the fate (or karma) that brings a husband and wife together. I would translate this as "Together by fate" or "Joined by destiny" but in the context of marriage. You could use this for non-married lovers but the first character has a suggestion that this refers to those that are married.

yǒu qíng rén zhōng chéng juàn shǔ

This is the long version of the Chinese proverb that translates as, "Where there are lovers, love will find a way (to come together)".

zhōng chéng juàn shǔ

終成眷屬 is a Chinese proverb that translated roughly as, "Love will find a way to come together."

qíng rén

jou nin / jou jin

情人 means lover, sweetheart or beloved in Chinese and Japanese Kanji.

This term is gender-neutral, so anyone can use it.

Please note that this term can easily be read or used to mean "mistress" or the kind of lover that you have an affair with (especially in Japanese). The context in which this word is used affects the actual meaning. Husbands and wives or boyfriends and girlfriends can also use this term for each other with no ill-meaning.

ai to keii

愛と敬意 is a Japanese phrase that means "Love and Honor" or "Love and Respect."

There's a few ways to express this idea in Japanese, so you may see other versions used.

qíng yì

情義 means to love and honor in Chinese. 情義 is more or less the kind of thing you'd find in marriage vows.

The first character suggests emotions, passion, heart, humanity, sympathy, and feelings.

In this context, the second character means to honor your lover's wishes, and treat them justly and righteously (fairly). That second character can also be translated as "obligation," as in the obligation a husband and wife have to love each other even through difficult times.

In the context outside of a couple's relationship, this word can mean "comradeship."

Japanese may see this more as "humanity and justice" than "love and honor." It's probably best if your target is Chinese.

This is the short and sweet form, there is also a longer poetic form (you can find it here: Love and Honor if it's not on the page you are currently viewing).

See Also:  Love and Honor

ài ren

ai jin

애인

愛人 means lover, sweetheart, spouse, husband, wife, or beloved in Chinese, Japanese Kanji, and old Korean Hanja.

The first character means "love" and the second means "person."

This title can be used a lot of different ways, depending on context. Husbands and wives may use this term for each other. But, if you change the context, this title could be used to mean "mistress." It's pretty similar to the way we can use "lover" in many different ways in English.

In modern Japan, this lover title has slipped into the definition of mistress, and is not good for a wall scroll.

shēn qíng hòu yì

深情厚義 means to love and honor. 深情厚義 is more or less the kind of thing you'd find in marriage vows.

The first two characters suggest deep love or deep emotions, passion, and feelings.
The last two characters mean generous justice or thick honor (the third character is an adjective that means generous or thick). It just means that you will honor your lover's wishes, and treat them justly and righteously (fairly).

This is the longer four-character version, there is also a short and sweet two character version.

See Also:  Love and Honor

liàn rén

koi bito

연인

戀人 means lover, sweetheart or beloved in Chinese, Japanese Kanji, and old Korean Hanja.

This term is gender-neutral, so anyone can use it.

In modern Japan and China, the first character has been simplified. We suggest the traditional version, as shown above if your audience is Chinese or Korean. However, this generation of Japanese are more likely to recognize the simplified version. If you want this simple (modern Japanese) version, please click on the image shown to the right, instead of the button above.

akai ito

This literally translates as, "the red string" or "the red thread" in Japanese but the real meaning is much deeper...

In Japanese culture, it's believed that fate, destiny, or karma joins lovers by an unseen string, tied around one little finger of each. 赤い糸 is how soul mates fine and are drawn to each other.

The Japanese concept of the red thread of fate, by most estimations, comes from Chinese folklore, where it's known as 姻緣紅線. The only difference being that in China, the celestial red thread is tied around the ankles of the lovers (versus what is usually represented to be the pinky finger in Japan).

qíng rén yǎn lǐ chū xī shī

Any woman with affection for Asian art and you will love a gift of this Chinese proverb calligraphy on a wall scroll. She will melt in your arms as you tell her the meaning of these characters.

Contained in this phrase is a reference to the most beautiful woman in Chinese history. Her name was Xi Shi, and she was known to have good looks that need not fine robes or make up. Her charms were so powerful that she brought down an entire kingdom (in a successful effort to bring honor and pride back to her people).

This is a great way to express that the woman in your life is your one love.

sī liàn

思戀 is a term used for when you miss a lover.

It suggests that you are separated (not by choice) and have longing for each other. It's a strong feeling of missing your lover.