verb / noun HSK 5
Traditional 暗戀
to have a crush on · to love secretly · secret love · unrequited love
Meaning
暗恋 describes the feeling of loving or being attracted to someone secretly, without expressing those feelings to the person. It captures the emotional state of harboring romantic feelings that remain unspoken, often because of shyness, fear of rejection, or circumstances that prevent confession.
Usage
Commonly used among young people discussing romantic feelings. Often appears in contexts like 暗恋对象 (the person one has a crush on) or 暗恋已久 (having had a crush for a long time). The term carries a bittersweet, somewhat melancholic tone and is frequently used in romantic dramas, songs, and literature.
Examples
- 01她暗恋那个男生好几年了，一直不敢表白。, .She's had a crush on that guy for several years but has never dared to confess.
- 02暗恋是一种美好又痛苦的感觉。.Having a secret crush is a beautiful yet painful feeling.
Characters
Common collocations
- 暗恋对象crush, the person one secretly loves
- 暗恋已久to have had a crush for a long time
- 暗恋成真secret love comes true
- 暗恋的感觉the feeling of having a crush
Antonyms
Origin
Literally means 'hidden love' or 'dark love,' combining 暗 (secret/hidden) with 恋 (love/attachment) to convey love that is kept in the shadows.