可愛
 
 

Godan verb, transitive verb

  1. to be affectionate to, to treat tenderly, to dote on, to show one's love (for), to cherish.
  2. to show favoritism to, to be partial to.
  3. to fondle, to caress, to pet.
  4. to be tough on, to be rough with, to torment, to train harshly. Colloquialism. Used ironically; often as 可愛がってやる.

Variations

Pronunciation Kanji Kana Is Common
可愛
 
 
可愛がる かわいがる

Contained Kanji Breakdown

can, passable, mustn't
カ コク -べ.き (5th)
street, ward, town
チョウ テイ チン (3rd, N1)
mouth
くち コウ ク (1st, N4)
love, affection, favourite
アイ いと.しい め.でる (4th, N3)
claw radical (no. 87)
wa-shaped crown radical (no. 14)
ベキ (Kentei 1)
heart, mind, spirit
こころ シン (2nd, N4)
late, delayed, winter radical (no. 34)
チ しゅう (Kentei 1)