noun / verb HSK 5
Traditional 明戀
open love · to openly love someone · public crush
Meaning
明恋 refers to loving or having romantic feelings for someone openly and publicly, in contrast to 暗恋 (secret crush). It describes a situation where one's romantic interest is known to others or expressed directly to the person.
Usage
This term is less common than its opposite 暗恋. It's typically used in discussions contrasting open versus hidden romantic feelings, or when describing someone who is straightforward about their affection. More common in written or semiformal contexts than everyday speech.
Examples
- 01他是明恋，她是暗恋，两种完全不同的方式。, , .He loves openly, she loves secretly—two completely different approaches.
- 02与其暗恋不如明恋，至少不会留下遗憾。, .Rather than having a secret crush, it's better to love openly—at least you won't have regrets.
Characters
Common collocations
- 明恋和暗恋open love and secret love
Antonyms
Origin
Compound of 明 (open, clear) and 恋 (romantic love), created in parallel to 暗恋 (secret love) to express the opposite concept.